Myanmar leader visits Malaysia amid return concerns

Myanmar military-backed leader Min Aung Hlaing traveled to Malaysia on October 7 for a two-day visit expected to include talks with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as the governments face scrutiny over the return of Myanmar nationals from Malaysia. The visit comes days after nearly 1,500 people were transferred to Myanmar by sea, the first phase of a Malaysian-reported arrangement covering about 5,000 people. Myanmar state television reported that Min Aung Hlaing departed for Malaysia on Wednesday morning. His expected agenda includes a meeting with Anwar and a business forum or dialogue with members of the Malaysian Cabinet. The trip is part of increased bilateral engagement between Myanmar and some Southeast Asian governments, although Myanmar’s leaders remain excluded from top-level Association of Southeast Asian Nations meetings following the 2021 military takeover. Malaysian officials have said about 5,000 Myanmar nationals agreed to return in phases. Anwar told parliament that Malaysia had returned about 10,000 Myanmar nationals since January, a broader total that includes returns by air as well as the recent sea transfer.