Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said his government will do "everything possible" to ensure Myanmar is reintegrated into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), following talks with military-backed President Min Aung Hlaing. The meeting took place during the Myanmar leader's two-day visit to Malaysia, marking his first foreign trip since taking office as president in April.
Speaking at a press conference after Thursday's talks, Prime Minister Anwar stressed: "Malaysia will do its utmost to strengthen cooperation and ultimately bring Myanmar back as part of the community of nations, without discrimination, particularly within ASEAN."
Myanmar has been excluded from ASEAN's high-level political meetings since 2021 for failing to make progress on implementing the bloc's proposed peace plan.
Anwar also said he would continue coordinating with President Min Aung Hlaing on the repatriation of thousands of Myanmar citizens, noting that Myanmar has so far agreed to take back 10,493 of its nationals. It remains unclear whether the returnees include Muslim Rohingya — a minority group facing persecution and stripped of citizenship in Myanmar.
The Malaysian prime minister made clear that the repatriation of Myanmar citizens would be carried out on a basis that is "voluntary, safe and dignified." For his part, President Min Aung Hlaing said Myanmar would accept more migrants held in Malaysia "as soon as possible."
The two leaders also discussed ways to strengthen cooperation across a range of areas, including trade, energy, security and economic issues.
Prime Minister Anwar has faced criticism from human rights groups over the repatriation of migrants to Myanmar, where more than 100,000 people have died since 2021. He has also been accused of legitimizing the presidency of Min Aung Hlaing, who was formally elected in April through a vote widely regarded as illegitimate.
On Wednesday, Human Rights Watch called on Prime Minister Anwar to press Min Aung Hlaing to end human rights abuses in Myanmar and halt what the group described as the "forced repatriation" of those who have fled the country.
