Malaysia Invites Myanmar Junta Chief on Condition of Rohingya Repatriation

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has stated that he has extended an invitation to Myanmar’s military leader and President Min Aung Hlaing to visit Malaysia, subject to the strict condition that Yangon agrees to take back Rohingya refugees currently sheltered in the country.

Speaking on Wednesday, Anwar emphasized that while Malaysia—like the broader ASEAN bloc—does not officially recognize the current military administration, engaging in direct diplomatic channels is necessary to facilitate the repatriation process.

With nearly 194,000 Rohingya refugees residing in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur has initiated a voluntary repatriation program, aiming to send back 1,500 refugees this month. Acknowledging that Malaysia cannot host refugees indefinitely, the Prime Minister defended the outreach, asserting that constructive diplomacy is far more effective than mere rhetoric in resolving the crisis.