{
  "id": 10670659,
  "title": "[UPDATED] 'Where do we put them?': Anwar defends Myanmar talks, demands safety guarantees for refugees",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/updated-where-do-we-put-them-anwar-defends-myanmar-talks-demands",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-29T09:54:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/09/1543927/updated-where-do-we-put-them-anwar-defends-myanmar-talks-demands-safety"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim defended Malaysia's involvement in talks with Myanmar, asserting that dismissing refugees without a solution is unhelpful. He stated Malaysia seeks safety assurances for any returns, prompting President Min Aung Hlaing's invitation for negotiations. Anwar elaborated that critics' mere calls to prevent returns overlook the pressing issue of where to accommodate the refugees. The Prime Minister emphasized Malaysia's commitment to safeguarding the refugees' welfare and rights, rejecting claims that the government is merely relocating them. He stressed that the proposed conditions are stringent, despite the refugees being citizens. Anwar welcomed Min Aung Hlaing's acceptance of the invitation, noting that any joint decision between Malaysian and Myanmar governments would follow. He criticized protests without suggesting solutions, highlighting the decades-long worsening refugee situation. The activist questioned the alternatives proposed by NGOs, asking, \"What is the solution as being suggested by some and many of these organisations? Keep them here? Now 200,000 or 300,000 (refugees), just keep them?\" The crisis arose following the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, leading to widespread armed conflict and the expulsion of people from their homes. Since the turmoil began, thousands have fled to Malaysia, where they are seeking refuge. The situation has escalated since 2017 when Myanmar's military crackdown in Rakhine State led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya, who have faced discrimination and lack citizenship rights under Myanmar's 1982 law. As of February, Malaysia hosted approximately 193,800 refugees, but the actual number could be higher due to unregistered individuals.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has defended Malaysia’s engagement with Myanmar, saying calls to simply “not send them back” offer no solution for the hundreds of thousands of Myanmar refugees in the country.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}