1,000 Myanmar refugees identified for repatriation can be sent back, says Tok Mat

 The foreign minister says there is no need to wait for 5,000 to leave together.

Foreign minister Mohamad Hasan said he has asked his ministry’s secretary-general to liaise with the Myanmar government on the refugees’ gradual repatriation. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

One thousand Myanmar refugees have been identified for repatriation to their home country, says foreign minister Mohamad Hasan.

Mohamad, also known as Tok Mat, said he has asked his ministry’s secretary-general to liaise with the Myanmar government on the refugees’ gradual repatriation.

Commenting on reports that the Myanmar government was prepared to accept the repatriation of 5,000 of its nationals in Malaysia by ship, he said Malaysia would prioritise those already identified.

“There is no need to wait until we have 5,000 people. The 1,000 already identified for repatriation can be sent back,” he was quoted by Bernama as saying in Seremban today.

Mohamad said cooperation between the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the home ministry was important to verify the refugees’ status and assess the security situation they would face upon returning.

Government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil previously said Putrajaya would not repatriate the refugees if they still faced persecution or risks to their lives. - FMT