Malaysia PM says will work on Myanmar’s ASEAN reintegration

What the report says

Malaysia’s prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, said his government would do “whatever possible” to help Myanmar return to fuller participation in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, following talks in Putrajaya with Myanmar’s military-backed leader, Min Aung Hlaing. The meeting took place during Min Aung Hlaing’s two-day visit to Malaysia, his first since becoming president in April, according to Al Jazeera.

Al Jazeera reported that Myanmar has been kept out of senior ASEAN political gatherings since the 2021 military coup and the civil war that followed, because of limited progress on a bloc peace plan. Anwar said Malaysia would work to deepen cooperation with Myanmar while avoiding prejudice, especially in the ASEAN context. He also said discussions covered trade, energy, security and economic ties.

The two leaders also addressed the repatriation of Myanmar nationals currently in Malaysia. Anwar said Myanmar had accepted the return of 10,493 people so far and said returns should be voluntary, safe and dignified. Min Aung Hlaing said Myanmar would take back more migrants as soon as possible. It was not clear from the report whether any of those returned were Rohingya, a persecuted Muslim minority that has faced long-running discrimination in Myanmar.

The talks come amid criticism from rights groups, who have questioned Malaysia’s engagement with Min Aung Hlaing and its handling of returns to Myanmar. Human Rights Watch also urged Anwar to press the Myanmar leader on abuses and forced returns.