For Immediate Release: 29 September 2026
Malaysia’s decision to send people back to Burma while building closer ties with the Burmese military is an unforgivable betrayal of refugees and the people of Burma, Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK) said today.
Tun Khin, President of BROUK, said:
“Anwar Ibrahim is making a deal with the devil. Refugees’ lives are being used as currency in a deal with the same military responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.”
Malaysia has today begun the return process, with 1,476 people due to be sent back in the first phase of a wider plan involving up to 5,000 people.
The first group, due to be transported back on Burmese military vessels, were identified by the Burmese military themselves. UNHCR was excluded from checking who was being returned.
Many of those being sent back have been held in immigration detention. Malaysia has described the process as voluntary.
He continued:
“There is nothing voluntary about taking people from detention centres and sending them back into the hands of a military that continues to terrorise the people of Burma every single day.”
The Burmese military is responsible for routinely bombing homes, schools, hospitals, religious buildings and camps for displaced people.
Just yesterday, Burmese military fighter jets bombed a crowded market in Kyauktaw, killing dozens of people, including children.
Malaysia has also been discussing the return of thousands of Rohingya and closer engagement with Min Aung Hlaing.
On the planned return of Rohingya, Tun Khin said:
“Rohingya refugees are genocide survivors. Sending them back means handing them straight back to their persecutors.
“Rohingya in Burma remain totally dehumanised, denied basic rights and targeted for brutality simply because they are Rohingya.”
BROUK also warned that the Burmese military is not the only threat facing Rohingya. Under Arakan Army control in Rakhine, Rohingya continue to face persecution and brutality.
Tun Khin added:
“Rohingya are being forcibly recruited and used as human shields by the very forces persecuting them.
“These deportations must stop.”
Malaysia’s engagement with Min Aung Hlaing gives political legitimacy to a military leader facing an Argentinian arrest warrant and a pending ICC warrant application, just as the International Court of Justice prepares to deliver its judgment in the Rohingya genocide case.
BROUK called on Malaysia to halt the deportations immediately and stop giving political legitimacy to the Burmese military while it continues to commit atrocities against the people of Burma.
For media inquiries:
Please contact Tun Khin on +44 (0)7888 714866 or email info@brouk.org.uk