by RK Desk
Kuala Lumpur, 5 September 2026: Malaysia says all 1,476 Myanmar nationals scheduled to be returned later this month have signed documents indicating that they agreed to return voluntarily.
Government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil said the individuals are currently being held in immigration detention depots and had signed documents stating that they wished to return to Myanmar.
According to Fahmi, Malaysia screened 5,000 names from more than 10,000 detained Myanmar nationals and submitted them to the Myanmar Embassy. Myanmar authorities agreed to receive 1,476 of them.
Malaysia also says it has received assurances from Myanmar that the returnees will be safe after arrival.
However, the consent documents have not been made public, and Malaysia has not explained how the signatures were obtained, whether the detainees received independent legal advice or interpretation, or whether they can withdraw their consent before departure.
UNHCR has said it has no role in the planned return operation and has warned that conditions in Myanmar do not currently allow safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable refugee return.
The ethnic identities and legal status of the 1,476 people have also not been publicly disclosed, leaving it unclear whether any Rohingya are included in the group.
The planned return is scheduled for later this month using Myanmar junta naval vessels.
