PUTRAJAYA, Oct 29 — The government will continue efforts to repatriate Myanmar refugees to their country of origin through lawful channels and established diplomatic processes, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said.

He said the repatriation efforts would proceed in line with the court’s decision to dismiss the Malaysian Bar’s application for a stay.

Saifuddin Nasution said the Home Ministry and the Foreign Ministry would continue negotiations with the Myanmar government to facilitate the repatriation of the second group, unless the court ruled otherwise.

“Let the legal process determine the outcome. Until there is a decision to the contrary, we will continue with the repatriation.

“For now, the Malaysian Bar’s application for a stay has been dismissed, so we will proceed. The judicial review has been fixed for Dec 8,” he said in his speech at the Home Ministry’s monthly assembly and Innovation Day celebration here today.

Media reports said the High Court had dismissed the Malaysian Bar’s application to temporarily halt the repatriation of about 5,000 Myanmar refugees and asylum seekers, ruling that a stay could not be granted before leave for judicial review was given.

Judge Norliza Othman said the dismissal did not affect the Malaysian Bar’s right to renew its application after the court had decided whether to grant leave for judicial review.

Meanwhile, Saifuddin Nasution urged the public not to take matters into their own hands over the presence of Myanmar refugees, stressing that enforcement should be left entirely to the authorities.

He acknowledged that refugee issues could give rise to various socioeconomic problems, but said the public should not go to extremes or act beyond the law.

“Their arrival has caused economic, political and social problems in certain communities, prompting some members of the public to take matters into their own hands, such as attacking their homes or forcing them out of their villages.

“The police are carrying out their duties and are urging the public not to take the law into their own hands. Leave it to the authorities and immigration enforcement agencies, which are conducting continuous operations,” he said.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia had opted for a diplomatic approach with Myanmar to address the refugee issue, despite facing international condemnation and criticism over the government’s stance.

He said that following discussions with the Myanmar authorities, the country had agreed to repatriate some of its nationals in Malaysia at its own expense, including by air and sea.

To date, about 10,300 Myanmar nationals have been repatriated, while another 3,000 are expected to undergo the repatriation process this month. — Bernama, Malay Mail, 29/10/2026

** Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution - the High Court is still hearing the Bar application on December 8 - it has not been dismissed???

High Court refuses Bar’s bid to stay repatriation of Myanmar refugees

Justice Norliza Othman says a stay application can only be heard after the application for leave for judicial review is decided.

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The Malaysian Bar is seeking permission to challenge the government’s plan to repatriate about 5,000 Myanmar nationals.
KUALA LUMPUR:
The High Court has dismissed the Malaysian Bar’s application to temporarily halt the repatriation of about 5,000 Myanmar refugees and asylum seekers, ruling that a stay cannot be granted before leave for a judicial review is given.

Justice Norliza Othman said the dismissal was ordered without prejudice to the Bar’s right to renew its application after the court decides whether to grant leave for judicial review.

The leave application has been fixed for hearing on Dec 8.

The Bar is seeking permission to challenge the government’s plan to repatriate about 5,000 Myanmar nationals, including Rohingya and children recognised by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees as refugees or asylum seekers.

It argues that their return to Myanmar could expose them to persecution, discrimination and other harm, and that repatriation could render the judicial review meaningless because the consequences might be irreversible.

The Bar also contends that Malaysia is bound by the customary international law principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning people to a country where they face persecution.

It further argues that the return of children would be inconsistent with the principle of acting in their best interests.

Lawyer M Ramachelvam, representing the Bar, submitted that the balance of convenience favoured a stay.

Senior federal counsel Nurhafizza Azizan, appearing for the attorney-general, argued that the application was premature, citing a recent Court of Appeal ruling that a stay could only be considered after leave for judicial review had been granted.

Collin Arvind Andrew, Moganasundari Mahalingam, Ameerul Radzi Azlan and Shahlini Sree Kumar also appeared for the Bar.

Marcus Lee and Samantha Koh appeared on behalf of Suhakam as amicus curiae, or a friend of the court. - FMT, 22/10/2026