PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will invite Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing to Malaysia for talks on the repatriation of Myanmar nationals, including Rohingya refugees.
Anwar said he had informed the Home Ministry and Cabinet of the plan about two weeks ago, adding that Malaysia wanted to pursue a diplomatic solution with Myanmar.
“I will invite the Myanmar president to officially visit Malaysia,” he said during a Sembang Ohh Yeahh podcast aired in conjunction with Malaysia Day on Wednesday (Sept 16).
Anwar said closer engagement with Myanmar should come with its willingness to take back its citizens currently in Malaysia.
“We can be friends, we can trade, we can accept Myanmar. But Myanmar must accept them,” he said.
He said the repatriation could be carried out in stages if Myanmar was unable to receive some 200,000 people at once.
“If they cannot take 200,000 at one go, take them back in stages and we will help resolve it,” he said.
Anwar said Malaysia needed a practical solution as many Myanmar nationals here faced difficulties finding work, while their presence had also caused concern among some local communities.
Diplomacy, he said, was necessary as criticism alone would not resolve the question of repatriation.
He said Myanmar had so far agreed to receive 5,000 people as an initial step.
“They have just agreed to take 5,000,” he said.
Anwar said the move would also help reduce the security and financial burden associated with holding migrants at immigration depots.
However, he stressed that Malaysia must ensure those returning to Myanmar would be safe.
“Can we guarantee their safety? Can we ensure the area they are returning to is safe?” he said.
Malaysia earlier announced that the first phase of repatriation would involve about 1,500 people in September, in a process the government described as voluntary.
Min Aung Hlaing, who led Myanmar’s 2021 military coup, assumed the presidency following elections held under the military-backed political system.
