Malaysia to work towards Myanmar's ASEAN reintegration, PM says

Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated his government will do "whatever possible" to ensure Myanmar is reintegrated into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), following a meeting with Myanmar's military-backed leader Min Aung Hlaing on Thursday. Anwar also pledged to continue working with Myanmar on the repatriation of thousands of Myanmar nationals from Malaysia, a move that has drawn criticism from the United Nations and rights groups concerned about the risks posed by the ongoing civil war in Myanmar.

Min Aung Hlaing, who became president in April after leading a military coup in 2021, is on a two-day visit to Malaysia seeking international legitimacy. Myanmar has been in turmoil since the 2021 coup, which led to Min Aung Hlaing and other senior officials being barred from attending ASEAN summits due to non-adherence to a peace plan. However, some member countries, including Malaysia, have sought to re-establish ties.

Anwar acknowledged concerns about democratic processes in Myanmar but emphasized respecting differences, noting Min Aung Hlaing's willingness to collaborate. He stated Malaysia would enhance collaboration to bring Myanmar back into the community of nations within ASEAN.

Regarding repatriation, Anwar expressed appreciation for Myanmar's acceptance of 10,493 nationals so far. Malaysia has cited financial burden and security risks associated with refugees, treating asylum-seekers as illegal migrants as it is not a party to the UN refugee convention. In September, Malaysia sent back approximately 1,500 people on Myanmar naval ships as part of a program that could deport up to 5,000. Min Aung Hlaing confirmed that citizens in Malaysian detention centers would be repatriated soon, with Myanmar dispatching navy ships for the task.

The discussions did not explicitly mention plans for repatriating Rohingya Muslim refugees, who fled Myanmar after a 2017 crackdown. Malaysia had previously criticized the crackdown, but public sentiment has shifted, with Rohingya facing increased scrutiny in Malaysia. According to the UN refugee agency, over 193,000 refugees and asylum seekers from Myanmar are in Malaysia, with about 65% being Rohingya. Myanmar does not recognize the Rohingya as an ethnic group and denies them citizenship.