ASEAN leaders from countries including Thailand and Malaysia are engaging with Myanmar's coup leader, Min Aung Hlaing, despite ongoing civil conflict and criticism regarding human rights abuses. Malaysia's invitation for Min Aung Hlaing to visit in September was framed as a means to address the issue of Myanmar nationals in Malaysia, including approximately 193,000 Rohingya refugees.
Upon his arrival in Kuala Lumpur, Min Aung Hlaing received a formal welcome, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated that Myanmar was willing to accept its nationals back at its own expense. Anwar expressed Malaysia's commitment to reintegrate Myanmar into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), despite Min Aung Hlaing's previous exclusion from high-level meetings due to his refusal to adhere to ASEAN's peace plan, known as the Five Point Consensus.
The civil war in Myanmar has resulted in the deaths of an estimated 100,000 individuals and displaced around 3.5 million people, according to monitoring groups. Anwar emphasized Malaysia's intention to support Myanmar's integration into the regional community without prejudice.
Min Aung Hlaing has visited several ASEAN nations since becoming president in April, following an election that barred major opposition parties. His recent trip to Malaysia marks the fifth ASEAN country to host him. Following this visit, his spokesperson indicated that Indonesia and Brunei may be next.
Bridget Welsh, an honorary research associate at the University of Nottingham, criticized the regional leaders' engagement with Min Aung Hlaing, suggesting it prioritizes pragmatism over human rights and could worsen the situation in Myanmar by granting the military international legitimacy.
Min Aung Hlaing has also sought recognition beyond Southeast Asia, visiting countries such as India, China, Russia, and Belarus, where he has attempted to portray his government as stable and progressing towards democracy.
Recent reports indicate that the United States has begun direct discussions with Min Aung Hlaing's government, despite existing sanctions related to human rights violations, including the 2017 crackdown on the Rohingya population.
Khin Zaw Win, director of the Tampadipa Institute in Yangon, noted that neighboring countries like China, India, and Thailand have vested interests in Myanmar's stability and have facilitated Min Aung Hlaing's pursuit of international legitimacy.
Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, the conflict in Myanmar remains unresolved, with continued fighting between military forces and opposition groups. Min Aung Hlaing has invited armed groups to peace talks, but military offensives persist in various regions of the country.
Laetitia van den Assum, a former Dutch diplomat, expressed skepticism about the military's ability to regain full control of Myanmar, suggesting that a series of temporary ceasefires may be employed to concentrate forces in specific areas.
Concerns have also been raised regarding the repatriation of Rohingya refugees, as Myanmar has historically denied them citizenship. The situation remains complicated by the control of Rakhine State by the ethnic Arakan Army.
Min Aung Hlaing's recent actions, including allowing the International Committee of the Red Cross to visit Aung San Suu Kyi, have been described as gestures lacking substantial political change. Reports indicate that military airstrikes continue, undermining the notion that diplomatic engagement has deterred military actions.
Phil Robertson, director of Asia Human Rights and Labor Advocates, emphasized the need for ASEAN's current and incoming chairs to advocate for a strong agenda that resists re-engagement with Myanmar and supports the bloc's peace plan. He also called for targeted sanctions from the international community to hold Myanmar's leadership accountable.