Anwar, Min Aung Hlaing meet in Putrajaya

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing convened a bilateral meeting at the Perdana Putra Complex in Putrajaya today. Min Aung Hlaing had been in Malaysia for a two-day official visit since the previous day. The leaders were anticipated to deliberate on several critical matters, including the repatriation of Myanmar nationals residing illegally in Malaysia.

Earlier in the week, Anwar informed the Dewan Rakyat that 10,000 Myanmar detainees had been returned to Myanmar since January of this year through air and sea routes, encompassing ethnic Rohingya, Arakan, Karen, and Shan populations. Anwar had invited Min Aung Hlaing to Malaysia the previous month to advance talks on the repatriation of Myanmar nationals, including Rohingya refugees.

This followed a prior pact for Myanmar to repatriate 5,000 of its nationals in stages. Thus far, 1,476 Myanmar nationals were deported on September 29, leaving 3,524 more to be repatriated.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Min Aung Hlaing's visit aimed to bolster Malaysia's diplomatic ties with Myanmar, in line with the 48th Asean Summit's decision to maintain constructive and principled engagement with the country.