Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s political secretary Kamil Abdul Munim has defended Putrajaya’s engagement with Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, saying talks should not be mistaken for recognition or endorsement of his regime.

Kamil, who is also PKR Youth chief, was responding to former Klang MP Charles Santiago’s criticism that Malaysia was “rolling out the red carpet” for Min Aung Hlaing during his two-day visit despite the junta’s atrocities.

Kamil said criticism of Malaysia’s engagement with Myanmar’s leadership was legitimate, as the atrocities against the people of Myanmar cannot be whitewashed.

However, he stressed that negotiation and dialogue remained part of diplomacy, and Malaysia’s engagement with Myanmar is not limited to the junta.