Anwar: Asean must not turn blind eye to Myanmar crisis
KUALA LUMPUR: It would be shameful for Asean to turn a blind eye to the worsening crisis in Myanmar, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said the bloc must treat the situation as an urgent responsibility and called on member states to take a united stand in helping to resolve the conflict, which continues to destabilise the region and cause immense human suffering.
"So, we have to speak up. We have to take action. And to me, it would be shameful if Asean does not treat this matter as part of its responsibility.
"Of course, we welcome efforts from Europe, the United States, China, and others. They can come in and help. But this is Asean's responsibility.
"It is an immediate task for neighbouring countries," he said during a question-and-answer session at the 38th Asia-Pacific Roundtable here today.
Anwar added that the conflict in Myanmar is no longer confined within its borders, with neighbouring countries such as Thailand and Malaysia facing the spillover effects, including hosting nearly 200,000 displaced persons from Myanmar.
"It affects us too. Myanmar is our neighbour. It is part of Asean. But the problem is being passed on to other countries.
"So we cannot remain silent. We have to act," he said.
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