Myanmar’s military leader Min Aung Hlaing concluded a two-day official visit to Malaysia on October 8, marking his fifth trip to a Southeast Asian country this year. During the visit, he met with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to discuss enhanced cooperation across sectors including education, energy, and healthcare, though no formal agreements were signed.
Min Aung Hlaing, who became Myanmar’s president in April following a controlled election process from December 2025 to January 2026, has also visited Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia in 2026. The visit to Malaysia, however, drew significant criticism given the country’s previous strong stance against the military coup Min Aung Hlaing led in February 2021. Since the coup, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) barred him from participating in leaders’ summits. Yet, five of the bloc’s eleven member states have begun to normalize relations with him.
In Kuala Lumpur, the repatriation of Myanmar nationals was a prominent topic. Anwar Ibrahim commended Min Aung Hlaing for being cooperative in accepting returned migrants, noting Malaysia’s willingness to bear repatriation costs. Since January 2026, more than 10,000 Myanmar nationals have been repatriated from Malaysia, including nearly 2,000 sent back just days before Min Aung Hlaing’s visit. Anwar’s office highlighted that no Rohingya Muslims, a persecuted ethnic minority, have been among those repatriated.
Nevertheless, critics argue that deportation to Myanmar is both legally problematic and unsafe. Rohingya activist and former political prisoner Wai Wai Nu condemned the repatriation plans as violations of international law and the principle of non-refoulement. She emphasized that many displaced Rohingya originate from western Rakhine state, currently contested by the ethnic Arakan Army rather than the military, raising concerns over ongoing instability. Independent groups note that Myanmar’s military has conducted extensive aerial attacks throughout 2026, and the violence has resulted in thousands of civilian deaths.
Experts warned that returning refugees amid continued military conflict could expose them to ongoing violence and forced conscription. Khoo Ying Hooi, an associate professor at Universiti Malaya, noted the assurances offered by Myanmar’s government are insufficient given the persistent armed conflict. Independent monitors estimate that over 100,000 people have died since the 2021 coup.
ASEAN continues to uphold its ban on Min Aung Hlaing and insists on full implementation of the 2021 Five-Point Consensus (5PC) — which calls for an end to violence and expanded humanitarian access — before allowing the military leader’s full participation. Myanmar’s junta has largely disregarded the plan, with Min Aung Hlaing stating that pro-military legislators rejected the consensus. Neither leader mentioned the 5PC during their joint press conference.
Recent military actions, including an airstrike on a market in Rakhine state on September 28 that reportedly killed 50 civilians, underscore ongoing violence. Analysts warn that ASEAN’s growing diplomatic engagement without significant progress on the 5PC risks weakening the regional response to Myanmar’s crisis. Some observers express concern that bilateral visits may signal a premature normalization of relations without meaningful concessions from the military regime, potentially undermining efforts to pressure the junta to end hostilities and restore democracy.
As ASEAN navigates its approach to Myanmar, the evolving pattern of engagement raises questions about how to balance diplomatic relations with demands for accountability and peace.