Malaysia to ‘reintegrate’ Myanmar at ASEAN; Resistance forces condemn Min Aung Hlaing visit to Putrajaya

Myanmar regime leader Min Aung Hlaing with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during their meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on Oct. 8, 2026. (Credit: Reuters)

Malaysia to ‘reintegrate’ Myanmar at ASEAN

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said that his government would do “whatever possible” to ensure Burma ​was fully re-integrated into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Anwar also pledged to repatriate thousands more Burma nationals from Malaysia – a move that has been widely criticised by the United Nations and rights groups concerned about the risks from an ongoing civil war.

“I would say that we and our part in Malaysia, will do whatever is possible to make sure that we enhance this collaboration and ultimately, take Myanmar ​as part of our community of nations, without prejudice, and particularly in the context of ASEAN,” Prime Minister Anwar told a media briefing, following a meeting with regime leader Min Aung Hlaing.

Burma’s senior regime officials, including Min Aung Hlaing, have been ​barred from attending high-level ASEAN summits and meetings after failing to adhere to the Five Point Consensus, the regional bloc’s peace plan for Burma following the 2021 military coup, which was agreed to by Min Aung Hlaing in April 2021 but never implemented upon his return to Naypyidaw.