Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing will visit Malaysia from Oct 7 to 8 for talks with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, with the repatriation of Myanmar nationals in Malaysia expected to feature prominently in discussions amid heightened public scrutiny over the issue.
The Foreign Ministry said the two leaders will discuss key bilateral matters, including the voluntary, safe and dignified repatriation of Myanmar nationals of all ethnic groups who are in Malaysia illegally, as well as ongoing efforts undertaken through ASEAN mechanisms.
The visit comes as Malaysia steps up efforts to return Myanmar nationals. Anwar told Parliament on Tuesday that about 10,000 Myanmar detainees have been repatriated since January 2026, including around 1,400 who were recently returned aboard Myanmar naval vessels.
Malaysia began the first phase of a separate repatriation programme on Sept 29, involving 1,476 Myanmar nationals from 14 immigration detention centres who were transported home aboard three Myanmar naval vessels.
The Home Ministry said those involved underwent citizenship verification, documentation, health screening and identity checks before being returned, and maintained that the process was conducted voluntarily, safely and with dignity.
Anwar said Tuesday that no Rohingya were among the more than 10,000 Myanmar nationals repatriated so far, although discussions on the ethnic group remain ongoing and are expected to be raised during Min Aung Hlaing’s visit.
The repatriation programme has nevertheless attracted scrutiny over conditions in Myanmar and whether returns can be considered genuinely voluntary. The UN refugee agency said its staff had not been allowed to meet the recent returnees to independently determine whether their decisions were free and informed, according to an AFP report.
Malaysia’s Immigration Department said on Tuesday that repatriations are expected to continue beyond the initial 5,000 people agreed with Myanmar, with more than 3,000 still remaining under that arrangement after the first phase.
Wisma Putra said Min Aung Hlaing’s visit also provides Anwar an opportunity to continue direct engagement with Myanmar following the 48th ASEAN Summit in May 2026, consistent with ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus.
The ministry said Anwar had met Min Aung Hlaing twice while Malaysia chaired ASEAN in 2025, while Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan visited Myanmar in April and October 2025 and again in May 2026.
Malaysia said it would continue supporting ASEAN efforts aimed at promoting peace, reconciliation and humanitarian access in Myanmar, while working with other member states on regional stability.
Anwar had previously said direct negotiations with Myanmar were necessary to secure the gradual return of its nationals, while insisting that repatriation should be accompanied by assurances over their safety and treatment after returning.
