Malaysia and the Philippines are working to speed up the return of more than 5,000 undocumented Filipino migrants held at four detention centres in Sabah.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur has identified more than 1,000 people who can be sent home.
He said both countries discussed ways to speed up the repatriation process, including by sea or other methods, as the detention centres are struggling to accommodate the large number of detainees.
Malaysia wants the Philippine government to take immediate action to bring them home, while the screening process for others will continue.
The two countries also discussed education for Filipino children in Sabah. Malaysia agreed to consider providing learning classes before they are sent home, but Mohamad said such facilities must be managed by the Philippine government.
The Sabah claim issue was not directly discussed during the meeting. Mohamad said Sabah is recognised by the United Nations as part of Malaysia.
