Malaysia’s Myanmar bet? Repatriations pave way for diplomacy

Malaysia’s repatriation of Myanmar nationals ahead of a visit to Kuala Lumpur by the war-torn country’s leader appears to mirror efforts by other Asean countries seeking to mend ties with Naypyidaw.

Several members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have stepped up engagement with Myanmar at the bilateral level recently, raising questions about whether a gradual normalisation between the bloc and the country could undermine efforts to end its civil war, according to analysts.

Nearly 1,500 Myanmar nationals repatriated from Malaysia arrived in southern Yangon on Sunday, said regional government minister Nay Lin Tun.

Under the repatriation scheme – which has drawn criticism from human rights groups and the United Nations refugee agency – 1,479 returnees were transported from Malaysia aboard two navy warships and a hospital ship.