Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced on Thursday that his government intends to pursue all possible avenues to strengthen cooperation with Myanmar and facilitate its full return to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The statement was made during an official visit by Myanmar’s leader, Min Aung Hlaing, who was received with a formal guard of honor in Putrajaya.

While the Malaysian government maintains that this engagement does not constitute formal recognition of Min Aung Hlaing’s administration, the move has drawn criticism from observers. Critics argue that the push for reintegration may weaken the leverage ASEAN currently holds over the military-led government in Myanmar. The diplomatic status of Myanmar within the bloc has been a point of contention since the 2021 military coup, which led to the country's exclusion from high-level ASEAN meetings. Anwar’s approach suggests a shift toward a policy of active engagement, though the practical steps for this reintegration remain under discussion. The meeting between the two leaders included private talks, though specific details regarding the conditions for Myanmar's return to the regional bloc have not been fully disclosed.