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Ahmadul Kobir, Malaysia: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim held talks with Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing on Thursday, with the voluntary, safe and dignified repatriation of Myanmar refugees in Malaysia featuring prominently in their discussions.
Min Aung Hlaing received an official state welcome in Malaysia on Thursday morning, with members of the First Battalion of the Royal Ranger Regiment (1 RRD) presenting a guard of honour during the ceremony.
Anwar later held a private meeting with the Myanmar president at the Prime Minister’s Office. The approximately 30-minute meeting covered the refugee crisis as well as bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest.
The two leaders exchanged views on prospects for ensuring the voluntary, safe and dignified return of Myanmar refugees to their country, regardless of their ethnic identity.
Anwar said direct engagement and negotiations with Min Aung Hlaing and the Myanmar leadership were crucial to finding a lasting solution to the long-running refugee crisis.
He described Thursday’s meeting as a continuation of the dialogue he had initiated with Min Aung Hlaing in Bangkok early last year.
According to Anwar, previous approaches that restricted direct dialogue based on mutual respect and trust had failed to produce meaningful results. Instead, the refugee crisis, which has persisted for decades, has become increasingly complex and raised growing concerns among Malaysians.
He said the current environment of dialogue based on mutual respect and trust should be used to work towards a practical and acceptable solution.
Anwar stressed that there was no substitute for direct communication and dialogue with Myanmar in addressing the protracted crisis. Through negotiations, he said, a solution must be found that safeguards the safety and dignity of refugees while also taking Malaysia’s interests and concerns into account.
Min Aung Hlaing’s visit is also expected to provide an opportunity for the two countries to discuss broader bilateral relations, regional stability and various aspects of Myanmar’s prolonged crisis.