Episode: KPN 12-10-2026

Malaysia, Myanmar leaders pledge closer economic, labour and security cooperation

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Myanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing have pledged to strengthen bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, labour affairs and regional security, while also discussing the repatriation of Myanmar nationals from Malaysia and engagement over Myanmar’s internal crisis.

Speaking at a joint press briefing following talks in Malaysia, Anwar said the two sides held “candid” and “constructive” discussions covering bilateral relations and a range of regional and domestic issues.

Anwar said Malaysia wanted to expand cooperation with Myanmar in areas including trade, investment, education, agri-food, energy, healthcare and capacity building. He said economic ties between the two countries had shown significant growth.

The Malaysian prime minister also referred to Myanmar’s political situation and ASEAN engagement, saying he had previously conveyed Malaysia’s views openly to Min Aung Hlaing.

Anwar recalled discussions following Myanmar’s devastating earthquake, saying Min Aung Hlaing had indicated that field hospitals should provide assistance without discrimination and that engagement with different parties should continue in an effort to prevent further escalation of violence.

He said the mechanism for such engagement was ultimately for Myanmar’s leadership to determine, while stressing that Malaysia would continue expressing its views.

Repatriation of Myanmar nationals discussed

A major issue raised during the briefing was the repatriation of Myanmar nationals from Malaysia.

Anwar said 10,493 Myanmar citizens had already been returned through flights and naval vessels, with cooperation between the two countries’ authorities.

He said Myanmar had also expressed willingness to receive additional nationals after their identities and records were verified under agreed procedures.

According to Anwar, another 3,000 to 4,000 people being held in immigration depots could be repatriated once their Myanmar nationality and other relevant records were confirmed.

Min Aung Hlaing, for his part, said Myanmar would expedite the return of people held in Malaysian immigration detention centres who were verified as Myanmar citizens. He said Myanmar was sending a naval vessel to Malaysia to assist with the repatriation process.

Myanmar workers and labour protections

Labour cooperation and the situation of Myanmar migrant workers in Malaysia were also prominent in the discussions.

Min Aung Hlaing acknowledged the contribution of Myanmar migrant workers to Malaysia’s economy and infrastructure development and said the two governments had agreed to cooperate on workplace safety, entitlements, protection and social security.

He also said the two sides would work to facilitate legal migration channels and protect workers from exploitation while implementing bilateral labour arrangements.

Trade and investment

Min Aung Hlaing described Malaysia as Myanmar’s fourth-largest trading partner and ninth-largest investor and called for greater Malaysian investment in Myanmar.
He said discussions covered trade, investment, agriculture, science and technology, anti-narcotics cooperation, human-resource development and people-to-people links.
The two sides also discussed reducing trade barriers, improving market access and expanding cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure, palm oil, food-production technology, small and medium-sized enterprises and the digital economy.

Min Aung Hlaing invited Malaysian businesses to invest in Myanmar, saying stronger economic cooperation could generate benefits for people in both countries.

The Myanmar leader also noted existing visa exemptions and direct air connections, saying these could support tourism, cultural exchanges and closer people-to-people relations.

Cyber scams, drugs and human trafficking

Security cooperation was another focus of the talks.

Min Aung Hlaing said Myanmar and Malaysia agreed to strengthen cooperation against narcotics, online scams and cybercrime, including through greater information sharing, coordination between law-enforcement agencies and joint investigations.

He said police and security agencies from both countries would cooperate more closely against cybercrime networks and that the two sides had also discussed human trafficking and the rescue and repatriation of affected nationals.

Diplomatic relations

Myanmar and Malaysia established diplomatic relations in 1958, and Min Aung Hlaing said the two governments discussed preparations to mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2028.

The talks also covered diplomatic representation and the expansion of bilateral economic cooperation.

Anwar said Malaysia would seek to strengthen cooperation with Myanmar while continuing to engage through ASEAN.

Min Aung Hlaing concluded the briefing by saying his visit was intended to advance friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation between the two countries. He also invited Anwar to visit Myanmar.

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