Malaysia sends back 10,000 Myanmar nationals since January
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told parliament in the capital Putrajaya on Tuesday that approximately 10,000 Burma nationals have been repatriated from Malaysia since January. In a response to a question, he defended the ongoing immigration enforcement across the country while responding to parliamentary inquiries regarding the country’s policy toward asylum-seekers and refugees.
Prime Minister Anwar detailed that the returns have been conducted via air and sea transport, including flights arranged directly by the regime in Naypyidaw along with the recent deportation of 1,476 detainees aboard three Burma Navy vessels that departed Lumut Naval Base on Sept. 29. He added that the overall bilateral repatriation framework covers Burma nationals from various ethnic backgrounds.
Anwar stated that Putrajaya has exacted explicit diplomatic commitments from the regime in Naypyidaw. He informed lawmakers that Malaysia’s core conditions require Burma to receive its citizens and guarantee proper, fair treatment free from abuse, coercion, or human rights violations upon their return, particularly the Rohingya. But he added that no Rohingya were included in the recent repatriation.
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Rohingya charged for unregistered human rights group
Zafar Ahmad Abdul Ghani, the president of the Myanmar Ethnic Rohingya Human Rights Organisation Malaysia (MERHROM), was charged under Sections 42 and 48 of Malaysia’s Societies Act 1966. Zafar pleaded not guilty to both counts , which carry penalties for managing an unregistered entity and acting on behalf of an unlawful society, in the Putrajaya Magistrates’ Court on Oct. 2.
The Registrar of Societies (RoS) initiated legal proceedings following an investigation into MERHROM’s public advocacy and media statements. According to the RoS, Merhrom is not legally registered in Malaysia, making Zafar’s leadership claim unauthorized under national regulations governing non-governmental organizations. The court granted bail and scheduled Oct. 30 for his next appearance.
MERHROM has long served as a prominent community-based group in Malaysia advocating for the rights, legal protection, and third-country resettlement of Rohingya refugees fleeing persecution in Burma. Rights groups note that the enforcement against refugee-led organizations coincides with broader domestic crackdowns and ongoing repatriation programs targeting undocumented Burma nationals.
Migrant workers in Malaysia ‘to strike’ Min Aung Hlaing visit
On Monday, migrant workers from Burma in Malaysia called for a nationwide “Work Stoppage Strike” to be held on Oct. 7 to protest regime leader Min Aung Hlaing’s planned visit to Kuala Lumpur, where he will meet with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to discuss the ongoing repatriation of 5,000 Burma nationals held in Malaysian immigration detention centers.
“Engaging with Min Aung Hlaing will bring no political or economic benefit to Malaysia, but will only become a source of embarrassment for the country on the international stage,” a migrant worker group called the Myanmar Affairs Alliance stated on Oct. 5—two days ahead of the planned visit by Min Aung Hlaing to Kuala Lumpur.
It appealed to Malaysian employers to understand the situation facing migrant workers from Burma with the expected arrival of Min Aung Hlaing, the military general who led the coup on Feb. 1, 2021 that ousted Burma’s elected National League for Democracy (NLD) administration led by State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, who’s been held in detention by the regime over the last five years.
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News by Region
SAGAING—At least 30 members of the People’s Defence Force (PDF), as well as another 30 members of unnamed resistance forces, surrendered to the military in Shwebo, Monywa and Chaung-U townships over the past two weeks, according to a source close to the PDF under National Unity Government (NUG) command.
The 60 former resistance members handed over their weapons to the regime due to reported “friction” with the NUG Shwebo District battalions. Neither the regime nor the NUG Ministry of Defence have confirmed the alleged surrender of the 60 resistance members. Read the full article on our website
TANINTHARYI—Sources close to the PDF in the region’s capital Dawei Township told DVB that regime forces have reinforced their positions in Dawei, Launglon and Thayetchaung townships after flood waters receded fully on Friday. Regime media reported that roads have been cleared and 55 of 56 schools reopened in Dawei District on Oct. 1
A PDF member under NUG command in Dawei told DVB on the condition of anonymity that at least 300 regime troops have been deployed in Launglon and Thayetchaung ahead of an expected counteroffensive set to begin when the rainy season ends this month. Read the full article on our website
YANGON—Over 1,000 employees at the Sunrise (Myanmar) Fashion Co. Ltd garment factory in Yangon’s Shwepyitha Township Thardukan Industrial Zone 4 are among the estimated 60,000 workers to be laid off. Factory management confirmed that it will provide workers compensation based on their length of employment.
“The management and the workers are still negotiating for severance pay,” a worker told DVB on the condition of anonymity, adding that the 1,000 will be laid off by Oct. 22. Sunrise (Myanmar) Fashion Co. Ltd manufactures apparel for Japan’s Burtle, Zerostage and Closshi brands. Read the full article on our website
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