Arakan Journal

By Arakan Journal Staff – October 5, 2026

Kuala Lumpur/Jakarta – The ASEAN has condemned Malaysia’s decision to welcome Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing for an official visit, warning that the engagement could be seen as legitimizing Myanmar’s military-backed authorities. At the same time, refugees and other Myanmar nationals face risks upon their return.

In a statement issued on Monday, October 5, APHR said Min Aung Hlaing is scheduled to begin an official visit to Malaysia on Tuesday. The group said the visit comes amid continuing conflict in Myanmar and Malaysia’s recent return of Myanmar nationals to the country.

“Malaysia should not be receiving Min Aung Hlaing at all,” said Mercy Chriesty Barends, a member of Indonesia’s House of Representatives and APHR chairperson. She argued that the official reception could signal the region’s acceptance of Myanmar’s military authorities’ conduct.

APHR also raised concerns over Malaysia’s refugee and migration policy, particularly the recent return of Myanmar nationals.

Malaysia returned 1,476 Myanmar nationals on September 29, including 79 women and 27 children, according to APHR. Reuters also reported that about 1,500 Myanmar nationals were deported as part of a broader plan that could involve up to 5,000 people.

The United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, said on September 30 that it was concerned about the returns because of the continuing conflict and humanitarian situation in Myanmar.

UNHCR said it was not involved in the process and could not access individuals before their return to assess whether their decisions were genuinely voluntary and informed. The agency warned that some returnees could face persecution, detention, torture, or other serious threats to their safety and freedom.

APHR called on Malaysia to suspend further returns until conditions in Myanmar allow for safe and dignified return. It also urged the Malaysian government to ensure that UNHCR has access to people facing return and to independently review how the 1,476 people returned on September 29 were screened and whether their consent was freely given.

The group further called on Malaysia not to enter agreements or issue joint statements that it says could confer legitimacy on Myanmar’s military-backed government.

APHR linked the concerns over the returns to the continuing conflict in Myanmar, including violence in Rakhine State. The group cited a September 29 military airstrike in Kyauktaw, Rakhine State, which it said killed at least 49 civilians.

Reuters reported that the death toll from the Kyauktaw airstrike rose to at least 50, with the United Nations expressing grave concern over reports of the attack. The incident further highlighted concerns about conditions for displaced people and potential returnees in Rakhine State. 

The planned visit by Min Aung Hlaing comes as Malaysia continues efforts to engage Myanmar over the conflict and the return of Myanmar nationals. Reuters reported that the visit is part of ongoing discussions between Malaysia and Myanmar concerning repatriation and displaced people.

APHR also referred to Min Aung Hlaing’s role as Myanmar’s military commander during the 2017 campaign against the Rohingya and to proceedings before the International Criminal Court.

The organization said Malaysia should ensure that any engagement with Myanmar does not compromise the safety and rights of people being returned.

The Malaysian government has maintained that the returns are voluntary. At the same time, UNHCR has stressed that any return to Myanmar must be based on genuinely voluntary and informed decisions and take place under conditions of safety and dignity.