KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has repatriated all 131 Thai Muslims who fled violence in southern Thailand and crossed illegally into Malaysia, officials said Tuesday.
The Thai villagers' return to their home country has ended any concerns that relations with Thailand might be hurt by their presence in Malaysia, said Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department.
"They've been sent back already,'' Radzi told reporters.
"Both sides are very happy. Thailand is happy, we are happy. It's no more an issue.''
Radzi could not say exactly when the Thais had been repatriated.
They had crossed the border into Malaysia last August.
Attorney General Abdul Gani Patail also said Tuesday that the Thais had been sent back, adding that he had been informed about it "some time ago.''
The 131 Thais illegally crossed the border into Malaysia's northeastern state of Kelantan on Aug. 30 last year, claiming they felt threatened by the Thai military's crackdown on Islamic insurgents.
They were subsequently detained by Malaysian immigration authorities.
One of the refugees was handed over in November to Thai officials, who accused him of treason, stealing arms and the slaying of an official.
Malaysia is a mainly Muslim country, while neighboring Thailand is predominantly Buddhist.
However, Thailand's far south bordering Malaysia has a Muslim majority and is facing an Muslim insurgency that has left more than 1,100 people dead since January 2004. - AP
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