Myanmar military leader arrives in Malaysia as repatriations draw criticism

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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — The leader of Myanmar’s military-backed government arrived in Malaysia on Wednesday for talks as the two Southeast Asian nations work to repatriate thousands of Myanmar nationals, despite international criticism of the transfers.

Min Aung Hlaing’s visit to Malaysia highlights the growing engagement between Myanmar and some governments in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, even as the regional bloc has continued to exclude the country’s leaders from top-level meetings since a 2021 military takeover, which triggered armed resistance.

His visit comes four days after nearly 1,500 Myanmar nationals returned to Myanmar from Malaysia. The U.N. high commissioner for refugees and rights groups have criticized the repatriations, saying that the security and humanitarian situation in parts of Myanmar remains volatile, and returnees could face persecution and forced military conscription in an active war zone.

Malaysian officials greeted Min Aung Hlaing after landing at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. He will meet with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim…