Story perspectives

Malaysia deports 1,476 Myanmar nationals, UN warns unsafe return

By Drooid · Sep 29, 2026, 10:36 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Malaysia deported 1,476 Myanmar nationals from Manjung aboard two navy warships and a hospital ship on Sept. 29, 2026.
Malaysia's Home Ministry said the group included 1,370 men, 79 women, 20 boys and seven girls.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia cannot host refugees indefinitely and will invite Myanmar chief Min Aung Hlaing for talks.
UNHCR said Myanmar conditions are unsafe for return and barred its screening of deportees.

History

Historical Context

In May 1975 the first Vietnamese boat people arrived in Malaysia, a crisis that peaked with 54,000 arrivals in June 1979 and led to camps such as Pulau Bidong, closed in 1991. After UNHCR, Malaysia’s Home Ministry coordinated the 1992 repatriation of about 30,000 refugees at a cost of US$45 million. The maritime deportation pattern reappeared on 29 Sept 2026 when Malaysia expelled 1,476 Myanmar nationals, prompting UNHCR criticism.

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Story summary

Malaysia deported 1,476 Myanmar nationals from Manjung aboard two navy warships and a hospital ship on Sept. 29, 2026.
Malaysia's Home Ministry said the group included 1,370 men, 79 women, 20 boys and seven girls.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia cannot host refugees indefinitely and will invite Myanmar chief Min Aung Hlaing for talks.
UNHCR said Myanmar conditions are unsafe for return and barred its screening of deportees.

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