Around 850 people lack sufficient documents to return to Myanmar after being convicted of illegal border crossing in Malaysia

It is reported that around 850 Myanmar nationals are awaiting repatriation to Myanmar after being convicted of illegal border crossing in Pekan Nanas, Johor, Malaysia. U Min Thant, Chairman of the Johor Sinai Chong Toh Lye Nar Nai Kun Chee Association, told Mizzima, citing the statement of the Pekan Nanas immigration officer, that this number represents Myanmar nationals held at the immigration detention center in Pekan Nanas. "These are those who are waiting to return after their sentences are served, those who cannot return due to incomplete documentation, and those who cannot return because they cannot contact their families. When these are compiled and surveyed, the number is 850. This number is not decreasing; it is still increasing. Last week, the immigration department said, 'Our prisons are full.' They said they have had to send others to camps in other cities," U Min Thant said. It is known that illegal border crossers arrested in Pekan Nanas are usually brought to court for trial every Thursday, with the number of Myanmar nationals involved ranging from approximately 50 to 100. "I have to go to court every Thursday to assist Myanmar nationals (those arrested for illegal border crossing in Malaysia) with lawyers. Arrests of illegal residents are made daily," said the Chairman of the Johor Sinai Chong Toh Lye Nar Nai Kun Chee Association. It is reported that inspections are currently frequent in crowded areas, restaurants, and small private businesses. In Malaysia, illegal border crossers who are apprehended are typically sentenced to prison and fined before being repatriated to their home countries. However, some Myanmar nationals arrested in such incidents face difficulties in returning home because they lack original identification cards and household registration documents. The Myanmar Embassy is required to verify their authenticity by taking their documents and information. It is reported that the verification process can take two months or more, depending on their original place of residence. It is known that those arrested are typically sentenced to prison terms ranging from approximately five months to one year by Malaysian courts, depending on the offense. The fines usually range from approximately 4,000 to 8,000 Malaysian Ringgit, depending on the offense of the illegal resident and the judge's discretion. Editor: Aung Kyaw Phyo