In a joint statement released on September 23, 2026, a coalition of 166 civil society groups—including Malaysian, Myanmar, and international organizations—expressed what they termed “grave concern” over Malaysia’s repatriation deal with Myanmar’s military-appointed government. The statement contrasted Malaysia’s vocal advocacy for the Palestinian cause with its treatment of Rohingya refugees, and criticized Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s willingness to host junta leader Min Aung Hlaing in Malaysia as part of the repatriation push. The groups said that “cozying up to genocidaires while criminalizing their survivors” damages Malaysia’s reputation.
Last week, Anwar announced plans to invite Min Aung Hlaing to Malaysia to expedite the return of tens of thousands of Rohingya Muslims who have sought refuge in the country over the past decade. His government has already reached an agreement with Naypyidaw to repatriate approximately 5,000 refugees, roughly half of the 10,388 Myanmar nationals currently held in Malaysian immigration detention depots. The first batch of 1,476 detainees is slated to return on September 29 aboard Myanmar naval vessels.
The civil society groups urged Anwar to halt the deportations immediately, arguing that conditions in Myanmar remain unsafe for Rohingya returnees. The junta has faced international condemnation for its crackdown on dissent since the 2021 coup, and the Rohingya minority has suffered decades of systemic persecution.