Former lawmaker Charles Santiago has taken aim at Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for “rolling out the red carpet” for Min Aung Hlaing, the Myanmar junta chief whose claim to Myanmar’s presidency is not recognised by the United Nations.

Taking to social media, Charles reminded Anwar of how he told the UN three years ago that he was horrified by the Myanmar junta’s violence against its people.

“In 2026, he (Anwar) rolls out the red carpet for the general who orchestrated a genocide in the Rakhine state and faces charges at the International Criminal Court.”

Charles (below) also claimed that Asean and the people of Myanmar do not accept Min Aung Hlaing as president following sham elections held in April.

“Malaysia is breaking ranks by welcoming him as a president. This will bury Asean’s 5PC for good. Congrats. And it will be remembered. And yes, RIP Asean,” he added.

The 5PC refers to the Five-Point Consensus, a peace plan agreed upon by Asean leaders in April 2021 to address the crisis in Myanmar following the military takeover.

When addressing the UN general assembly in 2023, Anwar called on Myanmar to immediately implement the 5PC.

“The continued atrocities must end. We are deeply horrified by the current situation, which is among Southeast Asia's biggest strategic and humanitarian challenges in recent years.

“The barbarism and depravity inflicted upon the people of Myanmar is indefensible, and goes against the values and principles shared by the peoples in the region and globally,” he said.

He also stressed the need for the international community and the UN to maintain pressure on the military authorities, urging them to stay the course in pushing for an end to the violence.

Forced returns

Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch has urged Anwar to press Min Aung Hlaing (below) to end human rights abuses during his visit to Kuala Lumpur.

The US-based NGO also called on Putrajaya to halt plans to forcibly return ethnic Rohingya and others to Myanmar, where they face persecution and other rights violations.

“Anwar’s invitation to Min Aung Hlaing to coordinate the forced return of people who fled military atrocities in Myanmar is an invitation for further abuse,” said HRW’s Asia director Elaine Pearson.

Anwar, however, has defended engagement with Myanmar as necessary to resolve the longstanding refugee issue, saying Malaysia cannot host those displaced indefinitely.

In a podcast aired on Sept 16, he said Malaysia, in line with Asean, was not ready to recognise Myanmar’s new government but needed an authority to negotiate the return of refugees.

He also told the Dewan Rakyat yesterday that Malaysia would use diplomatic channels to seek a long-term solution while protecting refugees’ welfare and human rights.

Junta leader visit

Min Aung Hlaing arrived in Malaysia today for a two-day official visit, with the repatriation of Myanmar nationals among the key issues expected to be discussed with Anwar.

Upon arrival, he was accorded a static guard of honour mounted by two officers and 26 personnel from the First Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment.

Tomorrow, he will receive an official welcome at the Perdana Putra Complex in Putrajaya before holding a bilateral meeting with Anwar, followed by an official luncheon hosted by the prime minister.

The UN General Assembly and Conference Management Department declined to recognise him in its updated diplomatic list.

The UN continues to recognise Kyaw Moe Tun - who was appointed prior to the 2021 military coup - as Myanmar's permanent representative to the body.