PUTRAJAYA, Oct 6 — The repatriation of Myanmar refugees will continue once the 5,000 individuals agreed upon by the Myanmar government have been sent home, said Immigration director-general Datuk Zakaria Shaaban.

Speaking at a press conference on a special operation here today, Zakaria said 1,476 individuals were repatriated in the first phase last month, while more than 3,000 remain in the country.

“This is an ongoing process. It does not stop at just these 5,000. We have not set a quota. If possible, we want them all to return,” he said.

Based on UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) records of issued cards, the number of registered refugees in the country now exceeds 200,000, with nearly half estimated to be Myanmar nationals, he said.