Myanmar ships arrive in Lumut to pick up 1,200 detainees

 

Malaysia has said it would deport about 1,200 Myanmar citizens for immigration offences. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: Three Myanmar-flagged vessels are reported to have arrived in Lumut to pick up 1,200 Myanmar citizens being deported from Malaysia.

The US embassy here has expressed concerns about Malaysia’s plans, as asylum seekers are reported to be among the group.

Myanmar’s military, which seized power in a Feb 1 coup, offered to send ships for them last week.

The three Myanmar vessels were anchored off the Lumut naval base today, including one described as a military operations ship, according to ship-tracking website Marine Traffic, the Reuters news agency reported.

Reuters quoted two anonymous Malaysian sources as having confirmed that the ships were sent to pick up the detainees. The ships are scheduled to leave for Myanmar on Tuesday, the Immigration Department has said.

According to human rights groups, nearly 100 asylum seekers from the Myanmar Muslim and Chin communities are among the deportees. The groups say the deportees’ lives could be at risk if they are sent back.

The US embassy confirmed to Reuters that it has raised concerns and echoed calls for the UN refugee agency to have access to those in immigration detention. The agency did not have an immediate comment on whether it would be given access.

Malaysia’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the concerns expressed by the US and other embassies, and the Myanmar embassy did not respond to calls seeking comment, Reuters said.

In a Facebook post today, the embassy confirmed it would be bringing back the 1,200 detainees, saying it was prioritising the repatriation of nationals stranded by the Covid-19 pandemic, Reuters reported. - FMT