Malaysia sends 135 foreigners, including Bangladeshis, back to their countries

In the final week of January, Malaysian authorities repatriated a total of 135 migrants from various countries to their respective homelands from the Johor Pineapple Town Immigration Detention Depot. The operation reflects Malaysia’s ongoing commitment to enforcing immigration laws and ensuring that individuals who have completed their sentences or violated local regulations return home.

According to the Immigration Department, the repatriated individuals included nationals from Myanmar, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Cambodia. The largest group comprised 112 Myanmar nationals, followed by 11 Indonesians, nine Bangladeshis, two Sri Lankans, and one Cambodian.

The deportees were sent back to their countries using Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA-1 and KLIA-2) and the Pasir Gudang ferry terminal, depending on travel arrangements and flight availability.

The Immigration Department clarified that all the individuals repatriated had previously been convicted under Malaysian law for various offences, including breaches of the country’s strict immigration regulations. These convicts were included in the department’s official blacklist, ensuring that they cannot re-enter Malaysia for any purpose within the prescribed period.

A spokesperson from the Johor State Immigration Department emphasised that the repatriation programme is part of a broader effort to maintain the integrity of Malaysia’s immigration system. “We conduct regular repatriation operations to ensure that individuals who have served their sentences or are unlawfully present in the country are returned to their home countries promptly,” the spokesperson stated.

The Pineapple Town Immigration Detention Depot continues to play a pivotal role in these operations. It manages detainees from multiple nationalities, providing oversight while coordinating with both domestic and international authorities for safe and orderly repatriation.

Malaysian authorities have indicated that such measures are essential not only for compliance with legal statutes but also to maintain public safety and social stability. The department reiterated that no repatriated individual will be allowed to re-enter Malaysia until the designated restriction period expires, underscoring the government’s firm stance on illegal immigration.

This latest operation follows similar repatriation efforts conducted throughout 2025, highlighting Malaysia’s ongoing vigilance in managing its migrant population and reinforcing legal accountability for foreign nationals residing in the country.