No repatriation if Rohingya refugees face persecution in Myanmar, says Malaysia

By the Editorial Team · Friday, October 23, 2026

Malaysia has initiated a phased repatriation program to return Rohingya refugees to Myanmar but assures that no one will be sent back if credible risks of persecution or harm exist. The process involves close coordination with Myanmar authorities and prioritizes refugees’ safety and human rights, with further phases contingent on successful verification and logistical arrangements.

Malaysia has affirmed that no Rohingya refugee will be repatriated to Myanmar if there is credible evidence that they could face persecution, torture, or threats to their life. This assurance was provided by Malaysia’s Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail in a written parliamentary response dated October 21.

The Malaysian government is implementing a phased repatriation programme aimed at returning up to 5,000 Rohingya refugees who are currently detained at immigration depots. The initiative involves collaboration between the Immigration Department and various governmental agencies. The first phase, conducted on September 29, saw 1,476 Myanmar refugees repatriated using maritime vessels belonging to the Myanmar government.

Minister Saifuddin emphasized that the repatriation process prioritizes the safety, welfare, and human rights of the refugees. He noted that while Malaysia is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol, the administration remains dedicated to ensuring that repatriation efforts adhere to the rule of law and international humanitarian principles.

The repatriation is carried out with direct coordination and negotiation with Myanmar, involving several procedural stages. These include the identification and verification of refugees’ identities and statuses, security screenings, and verification by the Myanmar authorities before documentation and transfer occur. The minister highlighted that this is a collaborative process rather than a unilateral action taken by Malaysia.

The continuation of subsequent phases depends on the completion of identification, documentation, and verification processes by Myanmar, as well as logistical and operational readiness between the two countries.

The parliamentary reply came in response to a query from Member of Parliament Jimmy Pua Wee Tse, who sought clarification on the government’s plans, mechanisms, timeline, and safeguards to ensure that the repatriation would proceed in an orderly and humane manner.

Saifuddin underscored that Malaysia will closely monitor the repatriation at every stage to prevent any possible violations of human rights, reaffirming the government’s commitment to conducting the process responsibly.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.