🇲🇾Week of September 28

Malaysia has started a repatriation programme for Myanmar detainees held in immigration detention, with the first phase covering 1,476 people. The group includes Rohingya refugees, who departed aboard three Myanmar Navy ships. The operation marks the beginning of a phased return of Myanmar nationals in Malaysian custody.123456

The three Myanmar Navy vessels are carrying 1,473 detainees, according to a figure reported in one account, while the overall first-phase total is given as 1,476. The Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN) has clarified the status of 10,388 Myanmar nationals still in detention. The second phase of repatriation has not yet been scheduled.578

The repatriation involves Rohingya refugees, a group that has faced persecution in Myanmar. The first group departed by ship, as shown in video coverage of the departure. The programme is being implemented by Malaysian authorities in coordination with Myanmar.134

Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim met with Tuanku Muhriz at Istana Hinggap Seremban, which again became the focus of attention. The meeting took place amid an administration crisis in the state. After completing the audience, Ismail avoided meeting the media.1234

State executive council members received instructions to return their official vehicles. The directive was issued as part of the ongoing administrative situation in Negeri Sembilan.1524

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is expected to have an audience with Tuanku Muhriz at Istana Negeri Sembilan, as reported by the oppositional Free Malaysia Today. This follows the Menteri Besar's audience with the ruler.6

US-Iran negotiations were described as 'very good', and oil prices fell below US$100 per barrel. Brent crude dropped below $100. Middle East oil exports reached a seven-month high, yet Brent remained at $107.123

Crude oil prices surged following Iran's rejection of a ceasefire. The war involving America, Israel and Iran has pushed oil prices higher and caused stocks to fall. Hopes that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen have faded.45

Attributed claim: Malaysiakini reported that US-Iran talks were 'very good' and that oil fell below US$100 a barrel. In contrast, BERITA Mediacorp and Portal Berita RTM reported that oil prices continued to rise and that hopes for the Strait of Hormuz reopening had faded. The accounts differ on the direction of oil prices and the status of the Strait of Hormuz.145

Only members of the Board of Directors have the power to elect the MFL President. This was reported by Berita Harian.6

Anthony Loke Siew Fook, secretary-general of DAP and Malaysia's transport minister, announced he will resign from the cabinet as his party's response to the conditional pardon decision for former prime minister Najib Razak. He said he will remain in the post until Najib returns home, and that the effective date of his resignation is the day Najib returns home.1234

Loke has submitted his resignation letter as minister to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The resignation is conditional on Najib's return home, and Loke said he will stay in his post until that happens.5123

Attributed claim: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Loke has not yet submitted his resignation letter as a cabinet member. Loke maintains his decision to resign and will submit the letter after returning from China, where he is attending the APEC meeting of transport ministers.678

MalaysiaGazette reported that Mutalif questioned why Anthony Loke attached a condition to his resignation. The outlet's framing contrasts with the pro-government outlets' emphasis on Loke's stated timeline.9

Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek announced that closed-circuit television cameras will be installed in 333 boarding schools this year as part of efforts to tackle bullying. The measure follows the death of a student at a boarding school, a case in which police say the victim is believed to have been beaten with a rubber hose.1234

Police investigating the death of a student at SMK Za'ba said the suspect 'punished' the victim because the student was believed to have broken school rules. The victim was struck repeatedly with a rubber hose, according to police accounts carried in the coverage.243

The death and the CCTV rollout have drawn commentary across Malaysia's editorial camps. The oppositional Malaysiakini published a critical opinion piece addressed to UMNO leader Asyraf Wajdi, while pro-government outlets Harian Metro, Kosmo Online and Astro Awani and the centrist Sinar Harian carried the police and ministry statements.12534