Myanmar military leader arrives in Malaysia as repatriations draw criticism

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — The leader of Myanmar’s military-backed government arrived in Malaysia on Wednesday for talks as the two Southeast Asian nations work to repatriate thousands of Myanmar nationals, despite international criticism of the transfers. Min Aung Hlaing’s visit to Malaysia highlights the growing engagement between Myanmar and some governments in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, even as the regional bloc has continued to exclude the country’s leaders from top-level meetings since a 2021 military takeover, which triggered armed resistance. His visit comes four days after nearly 1,500 Myanmar nationals returned to Myanmar from Malaysia.

high commissioner for refugees and rights groups have criticized the repatriations, saying that the security and humanitarian situation in parts of Myanmar remains volatile, and returnees could face persecution and forced military conscription in an active war zone. Malaysian officials greeted Min Aung Hlaing after landing at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. He will meet with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday.

Myanmar’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that Min Aung Hlaing attended and spoke at a private business gathering aimed at enhancing investment and economic cooperation between the two countries. Min Aung Hlaing sought to reassure Malaysian investors that Myanmar was on a path toward democracy and that his government was working to restore stability, state-run MRTV television reported in its evening news program. He told attendees that they could “invest with confidence” in Myanmar in sectors including food, agriculture, livestock, construction, banking, healthcare, education and technology.

Malaysia says that about 5,000 Myanmar nationals — including those returned Sunday — have agreed to be repatriated in stages from Malaysia. As of the end of August, 11,804 Myanmar nationals were being held at immigration detention facilities across Malaysia, according to the Malaysian Home Ministry. It was unclear if any of the returnees included minority Muslim Rohingya, who are facing persecution in Myanmar and have been denied citizenship.

Malaysia is home to about 215,600 refugees and asylum-seekers registered with UNHCR, the U.N. refugee agency, including about 126,000 Rohingya who make up one of Southeast Asia’s largest refugee communities. He will meet with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday.Myanmar’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that Min Aung Hlaing attended and spoke at a private business gathering aimed at enhancing investment and economic cooperation between the two countries.Min Aung Hlaing sought to reassure Malaysian investors that Myanmar was on a path toward democracy and that his government was working to restore stability, state-run MRTV television reported in its evening news program.He told attendees that they could "invest with confidence" in Myanmar in sectors including food, agriculture, livestock, construction, banking, healthcare, education and technology.Malaysia says that about 5,000 Myanmar nationals — including those returned Sunday — have agreed to be repatriated in stages from Malaysia.