Mohamad may travel to Myanmar amid concern over Asean peace plan

New Straits Times

11-07-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan may visit Naypyidaw, Myanmar, before the 47th Asean Summit in October to meet its leaders.
He said Malaysia was concerned that the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus on the ground was still lacking.
"I might be visiting Naypyidaw in September or early October.
"Our special envoy has been meeting stakeholders and everybody. We know their wish list. The majority of them want the release of political prisoners, a ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian aid.
"With that, I will see my counterpart and meet their prime minister and present to him what we have compiled so far.
"Hopefully, from there, we can come up with something positive," he said at a press conference here tonight following the conclusion of the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related meetings.
Mohamad said that during the Asean ministers' discussions on Myanmar, they urgently called on all parties in Myanmar, in particular the State Administration Council (SAC), to cease hostilities and violence, observe and respect ceasefires, and ensure unimpeded humanitarian access.
"We also emphasised the importance of continuity in Asean's approach to address the crisis.
"Malaysia expressed concern that the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus on the ground is still lacking.
"We called on all stakeholders to undertake concrete action in this regard," he said.
He said that out of the five points, three points fall on the stakeholders to implement: the cessation of hostilities and violence, inclusive dialogue involving all parties concerned, and humanitarian assistance to the people of Myanmar.
Malaysia, he said, has consistently called on the SAC, as the de-facto party in power, to show leadership and sincerity in committing towards peace and creating a conducive environment for inclusive political dialogue.
On the planned elections, he said Malaysia's position remained clear and consistent, and called for Myanmar to pursue an inclusive dialogue.
"I have also said before that elections must be inclusive, free, fair and transparent.
"During the AMM retreat, I stressed to the Myanmar delegation that elections have to be inclusive and everybody, all political parties, all stakeholders have to be able to participate.
"There is no point in having an election if it is non-inclusive," he said, adding that peace and cessation of hostilities must be a priority before elections.
"Any elections held without prior inclusive dialogue and political agreement with all Myanmar stakeholders are likely to worsen the conflict and will not be seen as credible or legitimate," he said.