Malaysia Gives Myanmar’s Military-Backed President a High-Profile Welcome

Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing received a red-carpet arrival and guard of honour during a two-day visit to Malaysia, his first trip there since becoming president in April. The high-profile reception came as he sought closer regional ties and discussed the return of Myanmar nationals from Malaysia.

Min Aung Hlaing arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on October 7, where Malaysian Trade Minister Johari Abdul Ghani greeted him. The following morning, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim welcomed him at Putrajaya’s Perdana Putra Complex, where Min Aung Hlaing inspected an honour guard before bilateral talks.

Anwar said Malaysia would work to strengthen cooperation with Myanmar and support its eventual reintegration into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Myanmar’s senior military leaders have been excluded from ASEAN summits since the 2021 coup, after the military authorities failed to implement the bloc’s peace plan. Anwar acknowledged continuing concerns about democracy and violence in Myanmar.

The visit has drawn criticism from pro-democracy activists and rights groups, who say official engagement risks lending legitimacy to Min Aung Hlaing’s government while conflict continues. He led the military coup that removed Myanmar’s elected government in 2021. His subsequent presidency followed an election that Western governments and rights groups widely criticised.

Repatriation was another central issue. Anwar said Malaysia had returned 10,493 Myanmar nationals so far, including nearly 1,500 sent back the previous week. Min Aung Hlaing said Myanmar would send naval vessels to help return more people held in Malaysian immigration detention centres. The Associated Press reported that Malaysia said 11,804 Myanmar nationals remained in detention.

The United Nations and rights groups have warned that people sent back to Myanmar could face persecution, forced conscription or other dangers because of the ongoing conflict. It was unclear whether the leaders discussed the return of Rohingya refugees, many of whom fled a 2017 military crackdown and remain stateless. Malaysia has said repatriations should be voluntary, safe and dignified; the risks to people returning remain a major point of concern.

The visit highlights Malaysia’s effort to maintain direct ties with Myanmar while pressing for regional cooperation. It also puts a diplomatic spotlight on the tension between engagement with the military-backed government and calls for democratic change and protection for people affected by conflict.