Malaysia to host Myanmar leader as 10,000 repatriations near completion

Malaysia has sent approximately 10,000 people back to Myanmar since January, Anwar stated during a parliamentary address on Tuesday. The deportations have drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups and the United Nations refugee agency, even as Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim prepares to host Myanmar’s president in Kuala Lumpur in the coming days.

Government officials arranged some flights for the repatriations. Nearly 1,500 individuals were also returned by sea last week under a separate agreement.

Anwar acknowledged safety concerns, particularly for Rohingya Muslims, but said Myanmar authorities promised they would face no harm upon arrival. He outlined strict requirements for the process. “The conditions that we placed on Myanmar is that they must bring home their citizens.” “Secondly, it is that they treat their people fairly so ‌that there are no abuses, coercion or rights violations.”

Malaysian officials maintain that every returnee agreed to go home voluntarily. Rights monitors dispute this, arguing refugees faced heavy pressure. UNHCR staff were blocked from interviewing people to confirm whether their choices were truly free.

Rohingya individuals make up the largest group among Myanmar refugees in Malaysia. Immigration raids on refugee neighborhoods have led to the detention of more than 50,000 people in 2026. UN data shows Malaysia took in about 193,000 refugees from Myanmar in recent years. Malaysia does not follow the UN Refugee Convention and treats these residents as undocumented migrants. The country currently hosts about 215,600 UNHCR-registered refugees and asylum seekers.

The returnees face active conflict and severe legal risks. Myanmar has fought a civil war since the military took power in 2021. Armed conflict data shows the fighting has killed more than 100,000 people. Returnees risk forced military service and persecution. The International Court of Justice opened its first full genocide case in more than a decade, now reviewing charges against Myanmar regarding its treatment of the Rohingya. The leader's 2017 military crackdown originally forced hundreds of thousands to flee the country.