Myanmar junta extends ceasefire again following quake
The late March earthquake has left tens of thousands of people homeless in Myanmar. (AP pic)
YANGON : Myanmar's junta has extended a post-earthquake truce, after the expiry of a previous humanitarian ceasefire it was accused of flouting with a continued campaign of air strikes.
The junta initially declared a truce in the many-sided civil war after a huge quake in late March killed nearly 3,800 people and left tens of thousands homeless.
The truce has been extended before, although conflict monitors say fighting has continued, including regular air strikes.
A statement from the junta information team yesterday said there would be an extension of the armistice – which expired May 31 – until June 30.
This would 'facilitate rehabilitation and reconstruction activities in earthquake-affected areas', it said in the statement.
It added that the state was 'intensively engaging in reconstruction of damaged government offices and departments, public residences and transport facilities'.
The ceasefire would also allow the country to hold 'a free and fair multi-party democracy general election', according to the statement.
The country's junta chief said earlier this year that a long-promised election will be held by January, the first in the war-torn nation since the military staged a coup in 2021.
In the statement, the military also warned it would still strike back against any offensives by the array of ethnic armed groups and anti-coup fighters.
The announcement comes after Malaysian foreign minister Mohamad Hasan used a regional meeting last week to call for the extension and expansion of a ceasefire 'beyond the currently affected zones'.
Malaysia currently holds the rotating chairmanship of the 10-country Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
The bloc has led so far fruitless diplomatic efforts to end Myanmar's conflict since the junta deposed civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
26 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Ahmad Maslan: PM holds final say on Cabinet reshuffle, but Zahid's push for Umno slot fair
KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 — Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan reportedly said that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has the right to determine Cabinet appointments, but it is not improper for political groups to make suggestions. According to New Straits Times, Ahmad Maslan added that this included Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's proposal for a ministerial seat to be allocated to Umno if Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz joins PKR. 'It is up to the Prime Minister, as Cabinet matters fall under his prerogative and political authority,' he said. Ahmad Maslan, who is also the deputy works minister, was responding to Anwar's statement yesterday that there was no urgent need for a Cabinet reshuffle, as the government remains fully functional despite the resignation of two ministers. Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad stepped down from their Cabinet positions on May 28 after losing in the PKR party polls. Two days later, Tengku Zafrul — who is minister of investment, trade and industry — resigned from Umno and announced plans to apply for membership in PKR. Ahmad Zahid said last Friday that the economy minister post should be filled swiftly, particularly as the 13th Malaysia Plan is set to be tabled in July.
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
From La Liga to Harimau Malaya: Argentina's Facundo Garcés joins national squad
KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 — Deportivo Alavés centre-back Facundo Garcés was yesterday announced as the latest addition to the national football squad under head coach Peter Cklamovski. The Football Association of Malaysia (FAM), in a statement, said the 25-year-old player is expected to bring quality, experience and strong leadership to a team working to strengthen itself and become the squad that Malaysians aspire to see. 'Having played in Argentina's top-tier league and recently completed a season with Deportivo Alavés in La Liga, Garcés has fulfilled all registration and eligibility requirements, and is now available for selection by Cklamovski. 'He is a player of great character, a composed defender, and one who brings strong personality and vast experience. He is extremely passionate about representing Malaysia and making the country proud,' the statement said. Garcés also expressed his excitement at representing Malaysia. 'Being part of this national team is an incredible honour. Since arriving, I've felt the warmth, sense of family and genuine support from everyone. 'If this is just the beginning, I can only imagine how amazing it will be when the whole country and its fans stand behind us. I'm ready to give my all for Malaysia,' he said. According to the statement, Garcés has joined the national team's training camp during the current Fifa window and will be eligible for selection in the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifier against Vietnam on June 10. — Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
3 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Age shouldn't define a hero, says ‘Keluang Man' actor Rosyam Nor
Rosyam, famously known as 'Hero Malaya', believes an experienced actor can still add value to a production, especially when paired with younger performers. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR : Veteran producer and actor Rosyam Nor believes age should not define a leading role, and expressed hope that, with talent being a 'timeless gift', more senior actors will return to the spotlight. 'People say if I play a hero, I'm considered an 'old hero'. I disagree. There's no such thing as an old or young hero. If he's a hero, he's a hero,' said the 58-year-old, whose real name is Mohamed Noor Shamsuddin. 'In films, even if a person is 70, he or she can still be a hero,' he told reporters after the trailer launch of the live-action 'Keluang Man' movie recently. Famously known as 'Hero Malaya', Rosyam said an experienced actor can still add value to a production, especially if they are paired with younger performers. 'Therefore, give us opportunities, especially in action films. We already have our own fan base, and when combined with young actors, it can attract two groups of viewers: the old and the new.' Citing the success of the Hindi film 'Mohabbatein', which paired Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan, Rosyam added that such an approach reflects generational diversity in mainstream works. He said such collaboration not only allows veteran actors to continue shining but also provides fans of all ages a reason to return to cinemas. Rosyam's Ahmad playing middleman to Nas-T's Borhan (left) and Remy Ishak's Shamsir in 'Keluang Man'. (Astro Shaw pic) 'Some films today are too focused on the younger generation, to the point that older fans who grew up with us feel left out because there are no longer genres or figures they can watch in the cinema,' said the Best Actor winner of last year's 16th Malaysian Film Festival. Commenting on his involvement in the superhero film's first full-length release, he said he feels proud to have been given the opportunity to act in a film directed by Anwari Ashraf and adapted from the iconic 1990s cartoon series. 'This is my first superhero film, and I'm proud because it's made by a younger generation of filmmakers, adapted from an old classic, and presented on the big screen. I think the film's production set is one of the most impressive in the history of local films,' he said. He also urges local audiences to support the film, as it not only evokes nostalgia for the older generation but also introduces a local legend to younger audiences. Rosyam stars in 'Keluang Man', which is now screening in cinemas nationwide, alongside other prominent local actors including Nas-T, Remy Ishak, Shweta Sekhon, Anwaar Beg Moghal, Halim Othman, and Amelia Henderson.
