KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim plans to invite Myanmar’s president to Malaysia for talks aimed at finding a long-term solution to the Rohingya issue, including the gradual repatriation of refugees currently in the country.
Anwar said he had instructed the Home Ministry and Cabinet two weeks ago to facilitate an official visit by the Myanmar president, which he said would allow both sides to discuss the issue directly.
“Two weeks ago, I told the Home Ministry and the Cabinet that I would invite the President of Myanmar to make an official visit to Malaysia.”
“Why am I inviting him? I want to tell him that we can be friends, we can trade, we can accept Myanmar, but Myanmar must accept them,” he said in a recent episode of the SembangOhhYeah podcast.
Anwar said Malaysia needed to maintain direct engagement with Myanmar despite its previous difficulties in addressing the Rohingya issue, including Myanmar’s refusal to recognise the Rohingya as citizens.
“Why should we not engage with Myanmar? There are many cruel governments in the world that we still have relations with. So why can’t we have relations with Myanmar?” he asked.
He said Myanmar had agreed to initially receive 5,000 Rohingya from Malaysia, with 1,500 expected to be repatriated within the next one to two weeks.
Anwar said the process would be carried out in stages, with Malaysia willing to help cover expenses such as transportation, clothing and food.
“If 200,000 cannot be taken back at once, take them back in stages and we will help to resolve the matter. This is my approach to finding a solution,” he added.
The Rohingya crisis has remained a longstanding regional issue, with members of the community fleeing persecution and conflict in Myanmar and seeking refuge in countries including Malaysia and Bangladesh.
Anwar said Malaysia’s direct engagement with Myanmar began with a meeting with its president, Min Aung Hlaing, in Bangkok about two years ago.
He said he had made it clear that Malaysia was not seeking confrontation, but wanted assurances that the Rohingya would be protected.
“I told him, I am not your enemy. But I want you to guarantee that these people will not be killed or expelled.”
“This is a problem for my country,” he said.
Anwar said Malaysia had also offered humanitarian assistance to Myanmar following an earthquake, including a field hospital and financial aid, subject to two conditions.
“First, my condition was that you must not kill them anymore, you must not bomb the Rakhine area anymore. Secondly, give them access to the medical facilities being provided. Both conditions were accepted,” he explained.
He said the issue was raised again during a second meeting in Beijing about a year and a half ago, when he proposed negotiations on the repatriation of Rohingya refugees.
Anwar said Malaysia needed to pursue a practical solution as the prolonged presence of Rohingya refugees had contributed to concerns over security, economic pressures and tensions with parts of the local community.
“Otherwise, it becomes a burden. A security burden, an economic burden, and a burden arising from hostility among the people,” he said.
He said Malaysia’s strategy was to negotiate directly with Myanmar rather than simply condemn its government.
Anwar said the engagement was intended to pave the way for a longer-term resolution to the Rohingya issue, including the eventual return of refugees to Myanmar. – September 16, 2026