Malaysia to repatriate 1,476 Myanmar nationals from September 29

28-Aug-2026

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Malaysia will repatriate 1,476 Myanmar nationals next month in the first phase of a voluntary program, the Home Ministry said on August 27, as the government moves to deal with the country’s long-running refugee and undocumented migrant issue.

The ministry said the repatriation is part of a broader program involving 5,000 eligible Myanmar nationals, who will be returned in stages under procedures agreed by the two governments. At the same time, Malaysia is introducing a new refugee registration system that will give its authorities direct access to registration and biometric information.

According to the ministry, the first group was identified by Myanmar’s government and will be sent back on September 29 on two warships and a hospital ship operated by the Myanmar navy.

As of August 15, a total of 10,388 Myanmar nationals were being held at immigration detention depots across the country, the ministry said. Officials hope to complete verification of their identity and refugee claims by the end of the year.