Malaysia’s Anwar to host Myanmar leader as repatriations near 10,000

Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing to visit Kuala Lumpur ‘in the next few days’, Anwar Ibrahim says.Published On 6 Oct 20266 Oct 2026Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says about 10,000 ⁠people have been sent back to Myanmar since January, despite safety warnings by human rights groups and the United Nations refugee agency.Anwar told parliament on Tuesday that a number of those deported were sent back by ⁠planes arranged by the Myanmar government, while nearly 1,500 were returned by sea last week as part of a bilateral arrangement.Anwar acknowledged concerns by rights groups and lawmakers over the ⁠potential safety risks faced by those being repatriated, especially those from the Rohingya Muslim minority, but said Myanmar authorities had given ⁠assurances that they would not be harmed ⁠upon their return.“The conditions that we placed on Myanmar is that they must bring home their citizens,” Anwar said. “Secondly, it is that they treat their people fairly so ‌that there are no abuses, coercion or rights violations.”Anwar said he would continue to discuss the ‌matter ‌with Myanmar’s President Min Aung Hlaing, who is due to visit Kuala Lumpur “in the next few days”.The visit is part...