Malaysia is set to raise concerns over the treatment of Myanmar nationals, including Rohingya refugees, during Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing’s upcoming visit, as Kuala Lumpur faces growing scrutiny over its repatriation programme.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim told parliament on Tuesday that he, along with Malaysia’s foreign and home ministers, would discuss the issue with Min Aung Hlaing and seek assurances over the treatment of returnees.

The talks come days after nearly 1,500 Myanmar nationals arrived back in Myanmar from Malaysia. Rights groups have warned that Rohingya could be among those returned, although Malaysian authorities have not disclosed the ethnic identities of those sent back.

Malaysia says around 5,000 Myanmar nationals have agreed to return voluntarily. Myanmar state media reported that nearly 10,000 migrants had been repatriated from Malaysia this year.

Anwar said Myanmar must ensure that returnees receive proper treatment and are protected from abuse, oppression and human rights violations. At the same time, he said Malaysia would welcome countries seeking to take back their citizens.

"Any country that wants to bring back their people from our country, we welcome that," Anwar said.

The visit is expected to be one of Min Aung Hlaing’s most significant diplomatic engagements in Southeast Asia since the 2021 coup. ASEAN has largely excluded him from high-level political meetings since the military seized power and plunged Myanmar into a prolonged conflict.

Anwar, however, has previously said he would welcome the Myanmar leader in an effort to accelerate the return of Myanmar nationals. He said Malaysia could maintain friendly and trade relations with Myanmar, but expected Myanmar to accept its citizens back.

The repatriation programme has also raised concerns over the treatment of Rohingya in Malaysia, where the refugee community has faced increasing hostility. Malaysia’s human rights commission has warned of growing discriminatory rhetoric and online attacks targeting the Rohingya.

Rohingya at risk

Malaysia hosts more than 215,000 refugees and asylum seekers registered with the UN refugee agency, including more than 126,000 Rohingya, making them the country’s largest refugee community.

The UN and rights organisations have warned that returning Rohingya to Myanmar could expose them to renewed persecution. The community remains largely denied citizenship and basic rights in Myanmar.

According to France24, rights groups have also raised concerns over the prospect of Rohingya being included in the repatriation process, given the continuing conflict and widespread abuses in Rakhine State.

Min Aung Hlaing has been widely blamed for the 2017 military crackdown that drove more than 700,000 Rohingya into Bangladesh. The International Court of Justice is examining allegations that Myanmar committed genocide against the Rohingya.

Myanmar has pledged to ensure "safe and dignified" returns for its citizens living abroad. But the situation inside the country remains volatile. At least 50 people were reportedly killed last week when a military airstrike hit a marketplace in western Rakhine State.

UN human rights chief Volker Turk has warned against forced returns, saying the current conditions in Myanmar make it unsafe to send people back.

Min Aung Hlaing seized power from Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government in February 2021, triggering a nationwide armed conflict that has killed more than 100,000 people, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project.

Following elections widely criticised as illegitimate, Min Aung Hlaing moved from military ruler to civilian leader and has sought greater regional diplomatic recognition.

Malaysia will become the fifth ASEAN member, after Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia, to receive him since he assumed the country’s leadership. He has also travelled to China, India and Russia as part of efforts to strengthen Myanmar’s diplomatic ties.

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