Malaysia hails ‘diplomatic breakthrough’ with Myanmar regime
Malaysian Minister of Communications Fahmi Fadzil told the media in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday that his country is the first to successfully persuade the regime in Burma to accept the return of its “displaced” nationals. Speaking at a ministry assembly, Fahmi highlighted that Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has underscored the achievement as a “landmark moment” in regional diplomacy.
“This is an extraordinary achievement because, as the Prime Minister pointed out, Malaysia is the first country in the world to have successfully convinced a country like Myanmar to accept the return of its refugees,” said Fahmi Fadzil at an assembly held in conjunction with National Sports Day 2026 on Oct. 14. “All of them were repatriated at Myanmar’s own expense. This is indeed a diplomatic achievement.”
Following bilateral talks between Prime Minister Anwar and regime leader Min Aung Hlaing in the capital Putrajaya Oct. 7-8, Malaysia is preparing to send back 3,500 Burma nationals detained at immigration centers across the country after 1,476 were deported, via three Burma Navy vessels, on Sept. 29. Anwar told parliament on Oct. 6 that 10,000 people have been deported from Malaysia to Burma since January.
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Terror charges levied against 35 political prisoners
Up to 35 political prisoners, including four women, have been re-arrested across Burma and are facing fresh terrorism-related charges in regime courts after completing their sentences at prisons nationwide between January 2025 and October 2026, the Political Prisoners Network – Myanmar (PPNM) reported on Monday.
The Oct. 12 PPNM report comes after regime police arrested 13 political prisoners following their release upon completion of their sentences at Arakan State’s Sittwe Prison on Oct. 1, Each of the 13 were reportedly sentenced to an additional 10 years in prison under Section 50(j) of the Counter-Terrorism Law on Oct. 5.
A former political prisoner in Arakan told DVB on the condition of anonymity that political prisoners inside the state’s prisons are being excluded from regime amnesties. DVB has documented that only 8,878 political prisoners, or 6.3 per cent, were among 132,286 prisoners reportedly released in a total of 24 regime amnesties since the February 2021 coup.
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Thai lawmaker calls out Min Aung Hlaing after Bangkok visit
Thai member of parliament Anusorn Tamajai made global headlines after shouting down Burma’s regime leader Min Aung Hlaing during his official visit to Thailand’s parliament in Bangkok on Aug. 7. Before being escorted away by parliamentary security, Anusorn intended to present a formal petition directly to the 2021 military coup leader.
“I shouted [at] Min Aung Hlaing, the coup d’état leader, during his official visit to Thailand parliament. And I think [the] parliament is a [symbol] of democracy. It is not suitable to officially welcome the dictator of Myanmar at Thailand parliament. And I shouted for peace and for humanity for the Myanmar people,” Anusorn told DVB.
His formal petition outlined core demands that included an immediate end to military bombing raids along the Thai-Burma border, adherence to the democratic principles of the 21st Century Panglong Agreement, and the release of all political prisoners, including jailed State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi. Anusorn added that Thai lawmakers were not informed that Min Aung Hlaing would be visiting parliament.
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News by Region
ARAKAN/MAGWAY—At least three civilians were killed and three others were injured in military paramotor attacks and airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force on two villages in Magway Region’s Mindon Township during fighting between the Arakan Army (AA) and regime forces on Oct. 8-12.
A source in the AA told DVB that a regime counteroffensive in Magway’s Mindon is heading towards neighboring Arakan State’s Ann Township, which was seized by the AA in 2024. Mindon is located 90-121 miles (144-194 km) south and southeast of the region’s capital Magway and Arakan’s Ann. Read the full article on our website
NAYPYIDAW—The regime in Naypyidaw held the first meeting of its newly-formed ASEAN Affairs Committee on Oct. 13, stating that it aims to restore Burma’s standing within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which banned all senior regime officials from high-level summits since 2021.
The ASEAN Affairs Committee is chaired by regime Foreign Minister Tin Maung Swe, who said the committee would strengthen cooperation with ASEAN as Burma seeks to restore what it called its “original role and rights” within the 11-member regional bloc. Read the full article on our website
YANGON—Families across Yangon are expressing heightened alarm as regime authorities intensify enforcement of its mandatory conscription law, stripping away deferment provisions previously granted to university students. The policy shift has created widespread fear among families in urban areas.
Parents in Yangon report that even after paying substantial bribes to ward administrators to secure temporary deferment, they fear their children could still be seized at military checkpoints or during arbitrary street inspections and targeted raids while commuting to classes. Read the full article on our website
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