KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Malaysia said on Thursday that it has finalised the first phase of a voluntary repatriation programme that will see some 1,500 Myanmar refugees return home.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim previously stated that Myanmar had agreed to repatriate 5,000 ethnic Rohingya refugees amid rising tensions with local communities in Malaysia.
• The first phase takes place on September 29 and involves 1,476 Myanmar nationals who have been identified by the Myanmar government, Malaysia's Home Ministry said.
• "The repatriation process will use two Myanmar Navy warships and one hospital ship," it said.
• The Ministry said this year about 4,008 individuals, primarily ethnic Rohingya, will be channelled into the Refugee Registration Document (DPP) programme, while 5,000 other individuals will undergo the voluntary repatriation process, as agreed with the Myanmar government.
• The Ministry said there were 10,388 Myanmar nationals at immigration detention depots as of August 15, though not all can be considered refugees.
• "The Immigration Department is working with the police to verify the identity, nationality and security background of each detainee, with the process expected to conclude by the fourth quarter of the year," it said.
• The Ministry added it will continue to identify individuals who are eligible and willing to return voluntarily.
(Reporting by Ashley TangEditing by Alexandra Hudson)
