166 Civil Society Groups Urge Halt to Malaysia’s Rohingya Deportation Plan

166 civil society organizations have urged Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to immediately halt the plan to repatriate Rohingya refugees to Myanmar. The civil society organizations stated on September 23 that they are concerned about the risk of persecution and forced conscription by the military junta if the refugees are sent back to Myanmar. Anwar Ibrahim stated last week that he was preparing to invite Myanmar's Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing to Malaysia for discussions on refugee repatriation. Of the over 10,000 Myanmar nationals in Malaysian detention centers, approximately 5,000 have agreed to be repatriated to Myanmar, with the first batch of 1,476 individuals scheduled to be sent back by naval ships on September 29. The civil society organizations strongly criticized the Malaysian government for actively assisting the Palestinian cause while discriminating against Rohingya refugees and preparing to welcome Min Aung Hlaing. The statement pointed out that sending refugees back to a dangerous war zone is tantamount to participating in genocide. The civil society organizations are calling for an immediate halt to the repatriation plan, as the return of Rohingya will further exacerbate the conflict. More than 120,000 Rohingya have arrived in Malaysia since 2017, but the Malaysian government does not recognize them as refugees. Anti-Rohingya movements are intensifying in Malaysia, posing security and economic burdens for the government. Anwar Ibrahim stated that while Malaysia does not recognize the Myanmar military junta, it is necessary to discuss refugee repatriation with Min Aung Hlaing.