Malaysia will repatriate 1,476 Myanmar nationals next month under the first phase of a voluntary return programme as part of a new policy aimed at addressing the country's refugee and undocumented migrant population.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Malaysia's Ministry of Home Affairs said the repatriation would be carried out in accordance with procedures agreed upon by both governments.

Under the programme, a total of 5,000 Myanmar nationals identified as eligible will be returned in phases. The first group, selected by the Myanmar government, is scheduled to depart on September 29 aboard two Myanmar Navy warships and a hospital ship.

Thousands of Myanmar nationals held in detention

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, 10,388 Myanmar nationals were being held in immigration detention centres across Malaysia as of August 15. Authorities said they aim to complete verification of the detainees' identities and refugee status claims by the end of the year.

The ministry said the repatriation initiative forms part of broader efforts to resolve the country's long-standing refugee issue, which it described as an increasingly significant financial, social and security challenge.

More than 95 percent of refugees in Malaysia are from Myanmar, including Rohingya Muslims as well as members of the Chin, Karen and Mon ethnic communities.

New refugee registration system

Malaysia is also introducing a new Refugee Registration Card system to register and manage refugees and asylum seekers.

The new mechanism will replace the registration system previously administered by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and will allow Malaysian authorities direct access to refugees' registration and biometric data.

The system will cover detainees as well as undocumented individuals living in the country, people holding UNHCR cards and those claiming refugee status.

Eligible applicants will receive a government-issued card allowing them to remain temporarily in Malaysia under conditions and monitoring mechanisms set by the authorities.

Rights groups raise concerns

The government's plan has drawn criticism from human rights organisations, which argue that expanding state control without establishing a stronger legal protection framework for refugees may fail to address existing challenges.

According to UNHCR, about 215,600 refugees and asylum seekers were registered in Malaysia as of the end of February, with roughly 90 percent originating from Myanmar.

UNHCR has warned that refugees in Malaysia remain vulnerable to arrest, detention, exploitation and discrimination because they lack a clear legal status.

Rights groups have also expressed concern that the new registration system could increase government surveillance of refugees and create additional risks related to privacy and the protection of personal data if adequate safeguards are not implemented.

The Malaysian government maintains that the new system is designed to strengthen national security, curb the informal economy and safeguard the welfare and interests of Malaysian citizens. Officials have pledged that the programme will be implemented transparently and without ambiguity.(ILKHA)