THE Kuala Lumpur High Court today has granted an interim stay against the Malaysian government from deporting 1,200 Myanmar nationals until 10am tomorrow. 

The news on the High Court’s decision had gone viral on Twitter. 

The Myanmar nationals were scheduled to be deported by the Myanmar navy today at the Lumut naval base.

Instead, leave hearing will be heard tomorrow.

Yesterday, Amnesty International Malaysia and Asylum Access Malaysia jointly filed for a judicial review in the KL High Court to stop the government’s planned deportation of 1,200 individuals back to Myanmar.

On February 16, Putrajaya defended its plan to deport 1,200 Myanmar nationals on navy ships sent from their homeland just weeks after a coup, following criticism from the United Nations.

News emerged two weeks ago that the migrants would be sent home after the Myanmar military seized power and detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi earlier this month.

Malaysian Immigration chief Khairul Dzaimee Daud said the detainees are accused of offences including not having valid travel documents and overstaying their visas.

In a statement issued before the court decision today, the Catholic Bishops Conference of Malaysia urged the Malaysian government not to subject the lives of the Myanmar nationals into an uncertain and unknown fate by simply repatriating them in these uncertain times.

“We also ask that an international organisation such as the UNHCR be allowed to verify these individuals so that their personal security can be guaranteed.

“As caring Malaysians, we should not subject anyone to situations that are marked by fear, uncertainty and unease.”

On Wednesday, Lawyers for Liberty (LFL) said it is not right for Malaysia to deport Myanmar people amid a coup in their home country.  

The government should at least wait till the United Nations refugees agency has confirmed the status of the 1,200 deportees, said the group.

It said deporting the people now is not only a violation of their human rights but also detrimental to Malaysia’s foreign policy interests.

The Council of Churches Malaysia (CCM) also said that during this time of political insecurity in Myanmar, sending the Myanmar nationals back is to send them to an uncertain fate.

“The system of check and balance, transparency and accountability have all but disappeared and the fate of these people, to send them into a hostile situation, is very dangerous,” CCM said.

“We urge the government of Malaysia not to participate in the disavowing of refugees as it is an act contrary to international laws and norms.” – February 23, 2021.