ASEAN Committed to Restoring Peace and Stability in Myanmar: Malaysian Foreign Minister
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Synopsis
On January 19, Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan emphasized ASEAN's commitment to restoring peace in Myanmar, highlighting the importance of the Five-Point Consensus and urging all parties to cease hostilities.
Key Takeaways
- ASEAN is focused on restoring peace in Myanmar.
- Five-Point Consensus is key for resolution.
- All parties urged to cease hostilities.
- Importance of regional interests emphasized.
- Relations between Malaysia and Myanmar remain stable.
Langkawi, Jan 19 (NationPress) The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is dedicated to the restoration of peace and stability in Myanmar, as affirmed by Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan during a briefing on Sunday.
The execution of the Five-Point Consensus concerning the circumstances in Myanmar offers a path toward an inclusive and lasting resolution, contributing to peace, security, and regional stability, Mohamad stated after an ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
“Thus, we urge all factions to halt hostilities without delay, prioritize humanitarian access, and create an atmosphere conducive to inclusive dialogue,” he emphasized.
Mohamad pointed out that the crisis in Myanmar needs to be addressed within the ASEAN framework, highlighting the necessity of collectively protecting the interests of the region.
He also stressed that the ASEAN centrality, unity, and solidarity should be enhanced.
As decided in an ASEAN leaders' summit in 2021, the Five-Point Consensus was formed to tackle the political crisis in Myanmar and to promote regional peace and stability.
Malaysia and Myanmar, both members of ASEAN, maintain a good rapport. Although relations soured in late 2016 over the Rohingya issue, stability was restored after a meeting between the armed forces chiefs of both nations. Myanmar currently has a diplomatic mission in Kuala Lumpur, with Malaysia operating an embassy in Yangon.
The mass exodus from Myanmar prior to 2016 had repercussions for Malaysia, prompting Prime Minister Najib Razak to participate in a demonstration at the Myanmar embassy alongside protesters at Titiwangsa Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. This event, held on December 4, was organized by Malay Muslim groups, political parties, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to demand an end to what Malaysia described as a “genocide against Muslims and other minority groups,” calling on the international community to exert pressure on Myanmar.
During the event, the Malaysian Prime Minister criticized Myanmar's Nobel laureate, Aung San Suu Kyi, for her inaction, stating in a response via X that “it was not my intent to meddle in Myanmar’s internal affairs, but the brutality against the Rohingya has escalated beyond acceptable limits.”
