Myanmar’s coup leader-turned-president wins back neighbours despite war

ASEAN leaders are embracing Min Aung Hlaing, but critics warn it emboldens a military still bombing civilians. From Thailand to Myanmar, ASEAN leaders are embracing Min Aung Hlaing, but critics warn it emboldens a military that is still bombing civilians. Rohingya activist says it’s unfair to send refugees back to Myanmar Yangon, Myanmar – When Malaysia invited Myanmar’s coup leader-turned-president Min Aung Hlaing for a visit in September, it insisted the trip did not amount to recognition. The purpose, an official said, was to address the “longstanding issue” of refugees and migrants from Myanmar in Malaysia. But when Min Aung Hlaing arrived in Kuala Lumpur last week, the former general – whose power grab in 2021 triggered a devastating civil war – received a red carpet welcome, complete with an honour guard.

After an official luncheon on Thursday, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Myanmar was prepared to take its nationals back at its own cost, a message with appeal in a country where anti-refugee sentiment is growing. Malaysia hosts about 193,000 Myanmar nationals, most of them from the persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority. “Because the weather is favourable, I will dispatch Navy ships to repatriate them,” Min Aung Hlaing said. For his part, Anwar pledged to help reintegrate Myanmar into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the 11-member regional