Malaysia begins deportations, of Rohingya refugees

Malaysia will send back its first batch of 1,476 Myanmar nationals on Sept 29 under a phased repatriation programme, despite intense pressure from rights organisations and the United Nations refugee agency to halt the returns.



The deportations represent the first wave of a broader agreement with Naypyitaw that could see up to 5,000 Myanmar nationals returned.



The Malaysian government has maintained that the programme is strictly voluntary but rights groups and the UNHCR have raised concerns over the safety of those being returned as conflict continues in Myanmar.



The anxiety over the move is reflected in James Bawi, a Chin community leader in Kuala Lumpur.



For him, the imminent departures have cast a deep shadow over families already living in perpetual fear of immigration raids.