Malaysia backs Myanmar’s ASEAN return, accelerates repatriations — SkimNews
Get the Geopolitics newsletter
Daily geopolitics — wars, elections, sanctions, the diplomatic moves that move markets. Free.
- Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia will do 'whatever possible' to ensure Myanmar's full reintegration into ASEAN, following talks with Min Aung Hlaing on Oct 8.
- Min Aung Hlaing agreed to accept the return of 10,493 Myanmar nationals from Malaysia and pledged to dispatch navy ships for repatriation as weather permits.
- Malaysia has repatriated around 1,500 Myanmar nationals in September and plans to return up to 5,000 more, despite UN and rights groups warning of dangers due to civil war.
- Myanmar remains unstable since the 2021 military coup, and its leaders have been barred from recent ASEAN summits for failing to implement a peace plan.
- Anwar Ibrahim acknowledged democratic concerns in Myanmar but emphasized regional collaboration, noting Min Aung Hlaing had shown willingness to cooperate.
Why it matters: Malaysia’s push to reintegrate Myanmar bolsters Min Aung Hlaing’s legitimacy just as it begins repatriating thousands of refugees—many to active conflict zones. With over 193,000 Myanmar refugees in Malaysia, including 126,000 Rohingya, the policy shift risks human lives while altering ASEAN’s stance toward the junta.
Ask SkimNews
