Malaysia and Myanmar Discuss Enhancing Cooperation in Economic and Developmental Fields

Kuala Lumpur, Oct 8 (KUNA) -- Malaysia and Myanmar today discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in economic and developmental fields and to accelerate the repatriation of thousands of Myanmar citizens from Malaysia. This came at the conclusion of a two-day visit by Myanmar’s leader Min Aung Hlaing, during which he held intensive talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

In a joint press conference with Hlaing, Anwar said the two countries agreed to expand cooperation in trade, investment, education, agro-food industries, energy, healthcare, and capacity building, prioritizing projects that deliver direct benefits to the peoples of both nations, despite some outstanding issues between them. He noted that while bilateral relations have historically been good, recent political developments have hindered progress, necessitating the resumption of cooperation through frank and constructive dialogue.

Regarding the repatriation of Myanmar citizens from Malaysia, Anwar affirmed Myanmar’s readiness to receive its nationals in large numbers and to bear the costs of their return. He noted that more than 10,493 people have already been repatriated from Malaysia via air flights and naval vessels, and that the interior ministries of both countries will continue negotiations on future repatriation operations.

On the regional front, the Malaysian prime minister affirmed his country’s readiness to strengthen cooperation with Myanmar and work toward its full reintegration into regional participation, particularly within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), while respecting the mechanisms adopted to address the ongoing political crisis in Myanmar since the military coup in February 2021.

For his part, President Hlaing announced at the press conference that understandings had been reached with the Malaysian side to enhance security cooperation in combating cyber fraud, cybercrime, drug trafficking, and human trafficking, through information exchange, coordination between law enforcement agencies, and joint investigations into cross-border crimes.

On the economic front, Myanmar’s leader, while participating in a high-level business dialogue in Kuala Lumpur attended by officials and businessmen from both countries, urged Malaysian companies to expand their investments in Myanmar. He noted that bilateral trade volume reached $1.662 billion in 2025 and exceeded $1.01 billion through August 2026.

The visit by Myanmar’s leader to Malaysia has drawn political and human rights criticism due to his role in leading the 2021 military coup that ousted the elected civilian government. Some Malaysian lawmakers argued that formally hosting him could weaken ASEAN’s position and grant political legitimacy to the military authorities. The Malaysian government, however, emphasized that dialogue does not imply recognition of the legitimacy of these authorities, but rather aims to halt violence, facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, and enable a comprehensive political dialogue.

Latest data from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) indicate that approximately 215,600 refugees and asylum seekers from Myanmar were registered in Malaysia as of the end of February 2026, including more than 126,000 from the Rohingya minority.

Malaysia faces growing challenges in managing this file amid continued influxes of people fleeing conflict, its non-accession to the 1951 International Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, and ongoing disagreements over repatriation procedures to Myanmar and the adequacy of safeguards to protect returnees. (End)