THE government is committed to repatriating undocumented migrants and foreigners, who have completed sentencing for crimes, to their country of origin, said Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin.

He rejected criticism of the policy by civil society groups, adding that the groups should pay for migrants to stay in Malaysia, if they cared so much.

“When it’s time to send them home, we do so. What do we want to detain them here for? I don’t understand the groups that say we should not send them back.

“If they care so much, they should foot the bill,” Hamzah told a press conference after an event in Kuala Lumpur today.

He said it cost the government around RM30 a day for each foreigner in detention.

The home minister was also asked about the process of repatriating of Myanma, which is on hold following legal action by two rights groups against the government.

Hamzah said he had instructed the Immigration Department to check those who are eligible for deportation and who are genuine refugees.

“However, if those who have committed a crime and served their sentence put in writing that they want to return, we will send them home.

“To those who care so much, I can send them the bill and they can put them up in a hotel,” Hamzah added.

The Immigration Department on February 24 deported 1,200 Myanmar nationals on the same day the high court issued a stay on the action following a suit filed by rights groups Amnesty International and Asylum Access Malaysia.

Since the migrants were deported despite the order, the court has allowed the two rights groups to challenge the government, while extending the injunction preventing the government from deporting another 114 Myanma, pending the outcome of the challenge.

Rights groups have said that Myanma will be in danger if they are sent back to their home country, following the military coup on February 1, especially if they are Muslims. – April 8, 2021.