World · Malaysia Bureau
Malaysian girl not among Myanmar refugees returned, immigration clarifies
Malaysia's immigration chief says a teenage girl remains in custody at an immigration detention facility, refuting circulating social media claims that she had been repatriated with other Myanmar nationals.
LSN Malaysia ·
The Director-General of Immigration has clarified that a girl at the centre of recent social media speculation was not included in the repatriation of Myanmar refugees, stating instead that she continues to be held at an immigration depot pending further processing.
Zakaria Shaaban made the statement to address online claims suggesting the teenager had been returned to Myanmar along with other refugees. His intervention seeks to set the record straight as reports circulated across various social platforms regarding the status and whereabouts of the minor.
The clarification comes as Malaysia continues to manage its refugee populations and immigration procedures. Authorities have not disclosed additional details regarding the circumstances surrounding the girl's detention or the timeline for her case resolution.
The statement underscores ongoing concerns about transparency in immigration matters involving minors and vulnerable populations in the region. Malaysia has faced scrutiny in recent years over its handling of refugee populations and detention procedures.