Myanmar’s regime leader Min Aung Hlaing is expected to visit Malaysia in October, state news agency Bernama reported on Wednesday.
The announcement, delivered by Communications Minister and government spokesperson Fahmi Fadzil, comes as Putrajaya and Naypyidaw intensify bilateral discussions regarding the large-scale repatriation of Myanmar refugees.
Min Aung Hlaing, who was inaugurated president of Myanmar on April 10 following the conclusion of military-backed elections on Jan. 25, will meet with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to coordinate further returns.
The upcoming diplomatic visit follows the deportation of 1,476 Myanmar nationals from Malaysia’s Lumut naval base on Sept. 29.
The deportees—comprising 1,370 men, 79 women, and 27 children—were placed aboard three Myanmar Navy vessels, including a hospital ship.
According to Minister Fahmi, Putrajaya has already approved a second phase to repatriate an additional 3,524 Myanmar nationals, fulfilling a broader bilateral agreement reached in July for the return of 5,000 Myanmar nationals.
The deportations have drawn sharp opposition from the United Nations and human rights organizations, which warn that forcing individuals back to Myanmar violates international law regarding non-refoulement given the active civil war, widespread regime airstrikes, and mandatory military conscription.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim rejected accusations that Malaysia is putting refugees at risk without concern for their safety, emphasizing that direct engagement and bilateral negotiation with Naypyidaw are necessary to resolve long-standing security concerns and manage the fiscal impact of hosting large asylum-seeker populations.
REUTERS
