Malaysia to spearhead Myanmar's return to ASEAN fold, PM says

Malaysia's Prime Minister pledged on Tuesday to work toward Myanmar's reintegration into ASEAN's fold, as military ruler Min Aung Hlaing concluded a two-day state visit to the Southeast Asian nation. The visit marks the Myanmar leader's first journey abroad since taking office in April, underscoring efforts by regional powers to maintain diplomatic channels with the military-led government in Naypyidaw. Malaysia, which holds significant diplomatic weight within ASEAN, positioned itself as a potential intermediary in discussions aimed at addressing concerns about Myanmar's political trajectory while preserving the bloc's unity principle of non-interference. The timing of the visit suggests renewed efforts to engage Myanmar constructively rather than isolate it further, a position some ASEAN members have advocated despite international criticism of the military administration. Details regarding specific mechanisms or timelines for reintegration were not immediately disclosed, though the visit signals movement on efforts to resolve Myanmar's status within the regional organization.