“Proud diplomatic achievement!” – M’sia First to Convince Myanmar to Take Back Refugees, Says Fahmi Fadzil

The repatriation programme has drawn concern from international human rights organisations, following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement in July that Myanmar had agreed to take back 5,000 of its nationals detained in Malaysia.

As we previously reported, Malaysia has since carried out the first phase of the large-scale repatriation effort, involving 1,476 Myanmar nationals.

Speaking at the Communications Ministry’s monthly assembly for October 2026 in Putrajaya today (14 October), Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said Malaysia had achieved a major diplomatic milestone by becoming the first country in the world to convince Myanmar to take back its refugees, as reported by BERNAMA.

According to Utusan Malaysia, he said the achievement, which was highlighted by Anwar, came after Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing’s official visit to Malaysia on 7 and 8 October opened up opportunities for discussions on repatriating more Myanmar nationals.

As quoted by BERNAMA, Fahmi said:

“This is an extraordinary achievement because, as the Prime Minister pointed out, Malaysia is the first country in the world to have successfully convinced a country like Myanmar to accept the return of its refugees.”

He added that Myanmar would bear the repatriation costs.

“This is indeed a diplomatic achievement that Malaysia can be proud of,” he said.

Fahmi also said more than 3,000 Myanmar refugees from various ethnic groups are expected to begin returning home in the near future.

Previously, BERNAMA reported that 3,524 Myanmar nationals had been approved for the second phase of the repatriation programme, with Malaysia awaiting confirmation of the return date.

However, the repatriation programme has also raised concerns among human rights organisations, including Malaysia’s Human Rights Commission (SUHAKAM), over the safety of those returning to Myanmar amid ongoing conflict and human rights violations.

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Also read: M’sia Begins First Phase Of Sending Nearly 1,500 Myanmar Migrants Back Home