By Ahmad Erwan Othman
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 (Bernama) -- The first phase of repatriating 1,476 Myanmar refugees to their home country marks a significant step by the MADANI Government in addressing the influx of refugees and foreign migrants, which has been a concern among Malaysians.
PSYOPS warfare expert and national security analyst Dr Noor Nirwandy Mat Noordin said the diplomatic approach led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was central to addressing the refugee issue firmly, systematically and in stages, while taking into account the country’s laws and sovereignty.
“This is the diplomacy of an ASEAN middle power, humanitarian diplomacy and regional peace diplomacy... the Prime Minister’s efforts are seen as one of the key pillars in resolving the long-standing Myanmar refugee issue,” he told Bernama.
The Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Centre for Media and Information Warfare Studies lecturer stressed that the approach was important to ensure the repatriation process was carried out systematically, in accordance with United Nations (UN) standards and with humanitarian considerations prioritised.
Noor Nirwandy also cautioned Malaysia against being swayed by pressure or propaganda from certain quarters claiming that the repatriation of refugees runs counter to humanitarian values.
Malaysia is not a signatory to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees or its 1967 Protocol, while protection previously extended to refugees was based on humanitarian considerations and discretion rather than a legal obligation, he said.
He proposed that the government introduce a “control and rotation system” for refugees to safeguard the country’s socio-economic, demographic and psychographic stability.
Under the proposed system, refugees would be required to comply with Malaysian laws and prevented from using the country as a base to expand their economic influence. The rotation element would reinforce the understanding among refugee communities that their stay is temporary and that they should be prepared to return once conditions in their home country improve.
Geostrategist and senior fellow of Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research (NASR) Prof Dr Azmi Hassan described the working relationship between Anwar and Myanmar’s top leadership, Min Aung Hlaing, as an established one, particularly during Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2025 and following the channelling of humanitarian assistance after the earthquake in Myanmar.
The latest repatriation therefore reflects the continuation of the Prime Minister’s diplomatic approach.
“Although the number in this first phase is relatively small compared with the total number of refugees in Malaysia, it is a concrete start and the first time an ASEAN country has formally carried this out through a bilateral agreement,” he said.
Azmi noted that the programme also comes as the Myanmar government seeks international recognition of its legitimacy, particularly from ASEAN member states.
“It puts appropriate diplomatic pressure on Myanmar to ease the internal conflict, comply with the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus and subsequently accept and recognise its citizens again,” he said, expressing hope that Malaysia’s initiative would pave the way for a comprehensive regional solution to the refugee issue.
Kepong Member of Parliament Lim Lip Eng, in a statement, said negotiations with Myanmar provided a channel to urge its authorities to take responsibility and guarantee concrete protection for those being repatriated, while ensuring their safety and dignity.
On July 29, Anwar announced that Myanmar had agreed to receive about 5,000 Myanmar nationals currently detained in Malaysia following negotiations and improved relations between the two countries.
The following day, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the Home Ministry (KDN) had begun identifying, documenting and screening the detainees in preparation for their repatriation.
On Sept 29, 1,370 men, 79 women, 20 boys and seven girls, aged between eight and 60, were repatriated using three vessels, including a Myanmar Navy hospital ship, from the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) Base in Lumut, Perak.
-- BERNAMA