Malaysia to present ‘wishlist' to Myanmar junta in push for Asean-led resolution
KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 — Asean Foreign Ministers have agreed that efforts to continue engaging with all stakeholders in Myanmar must persist to find a long-term solution to the protracted crisis in the country, which began with a military coup on Feb 1, 2021.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said that Malaysia, as Asean Chair, planned to visit Myanmar to formally present a 'wishlist' gathered from various stakeholders to the State Administration Council (SAC).
'As Chair of Asean, we plan to visit and talk to Myanmar because we have already met with people and different stakeholders.
'We know what the wishlist is, now we want to present to the SAC the wishlist of the stakeholders so later we will look at the feedback or response from the SAC,' he told the media here today.
Earlier, Mohamad chaired the first Informal Consultative Meeting involving the previous Asean Chair, Laos; the current Chair, Malaysia; and the incoming Chair, the Philippines. The meeting will later be expanded to include all Asean Foreign Ministers, except Myanmar.
Mohamad said the meeting also heard a report presented by the Special Envoy of the Asean Chair on Myanmar, Tan Sri Othman Hashim, regarding the latest developments in the country.
He said Asean remained committed to ensuring Myanmar adhered to the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) agreed upon by all Asean leaders in 2021.
'This 5PC is simple – cease all violence, initiate inclusive dialogue, allow humanitarian assistance to be delivered without hindrance, appoint an Asean Special Envoy, and allow the Special Envoy to meet all parties.
'However, the implementation of this consensus has faced difficulties due to a trust deficit and ethnic conflicts that have persisted for decades in Myanmar,' he said.
Mohamad added that the crisis in Myanmar was not merely an internal matter, but had also affected the stability of the Asean region, including issues related to refugees and cross-border crimes.
'Asean does not wish to interfere in Myanmar's internal affairs, but as a large family, we have a responsibility to help. Myanmar's problem has now become our collective issue,' he said.
Responding to a question on whether Asean would allow Myanmar to rejoin the bloc's political discussions, Mohamad said the country was not banned from full participation, but was currently only invited to attend non-political meetings.
As the chair and host of Asean 2025, Malaysia will host the 46th Asean Summit and Related Summits at the KLCC from May 26 to 27.
In conjunction with the summit, two key high-level meetings - the 2nd Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the Asean-GCC-China Summit will also take place, marking an important platform for expanded regional and inter-regional cooperation.
Malaysia previously chaired Asean in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Anwar denies seeking immunity after losing bid to refer Yusoff Rawther's suit to apex court
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today said he wanted to ensure that high public office is protected from litigation that may be strategically timed, politically motivated, or institutionally disruptive. PETALING JAYA : Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has rejected suggestions that he is seeking personal immunity from legal proceedings, after the High Court dismissed his application to refer eight legal questions arising from a civil suit filed by a former aide to the Federal Court. Anwar's remarks come amid public and political debate surrounding a civil suit filed by former research assistant Yusoff Rawther, in which questions have arisen about whether the prime minister is seeking legal immunity to avoid standing trial. 'This matter has never been about seeking personal immunity or escaping legal scrutiny,' said Anwar in a Facebook post. 'It concerns the integrity of our constitutional system and the need to ensure that high public office is protected from litigation that may be strategically timed, politically motivated, or institutionally disruptive. 'I remain fully committed to the rule of law, the independence of our courts, and the dignity of democratic governance.' Anwar said the legal process will continue as required, and that he will 'continue to discharge (his) responsibilities without distraction or compromise'. At a press conference after the High Court decision, his lawyer, K Rajasegaran, said Anwar's legal team will immediately file an appeal to the Court of Appeal. Rajasegaran said the eight questions submitted are neither abstract nor academic in nature, but pertain to serious and unresolved constitutional issues. Last Tuesday, Anwar filed an application asking the Kuala Lumpur High Court to refer eight questions of law to the Federal Court for determination, including whether he has immunity from the civil suit brought against him by Yusoff four years ago. He said he wanted the apex court to rule whether Articles 39, 40 and 43 of the Federal Constitution grant him qualified immunity from the suit. Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin then criticised Anwar, stating that Article 8(1) of the Federal Constitution guarantees equality under the law. Hamzah said no one, not even the prime minister, is above the law. The eight questions of law are linked to a civil suit filed by Yusoff over alleged incidents that took place before Anwar assumed office on Nov 24, 2022. Yusoff, a grandson of the late Penang consumer advocate SM Mohamed Idris, claims he was assaulted at Anwar's home in Segambut in October 2018. He is seeking general, special, aggravated and exemplary damages, as well as interest, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court. Anwar denies the claim and has filed a countersuit.
Free Malaysia Today
3 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Govt considering homes above train stations to ease congestion
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the proposal will involve building both public and private housing above train stations. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The government is exploring plans to build housing above train stations to help ease traffic congestion, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said today. He said the proposal is being studied in collaboration with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and will require regulatory changes. 'This would involve building both public and private housing above train stations, with a portion set aside for the public,' Anwar said during a forum here. Transport minister Loke Siew Fook said the move marks a 'major policy shift' towards developing affordable housing near LRT and MRT stations, with the goal of reducing car dependency and making homes more affordable. 'We are discussing this with the housing and local government ministry. If implemented, it could significantly reduce car usage,' he told reporters. Loke said the plan also includes reviewing car park requirements for developments near transit stations. Reducing these requirements would lower development costs and housing prices. 'If a project is close to a train station, we can cut down on parking needs. That makes the homes cheaper for buyers,' he said. Prasarana president and group CEO Azharuddin Mat Sah said the public transport operator is looking into using its land near rail stations to support affordable housing. 'We have 15 plots of land. Seven are being developed. Previously, we focused on commercial projects with the highest bids,' he said. 'But now there's a shift in thinking. We want to develop affordable, high-rise housing so people can live closer to public transport.' He said the eight remaining land parcels are being considered under this revised approach. Drone transport not a priority Touching on future transport modes, Loke said drone mobility is not a current priority. 'Drone-based transport is still at an early stage. There are many challenges – technology, regulation, operations,' he said. 'Passenger and cargo drone trials are ongoing, but for now, our focus remains on land transport.'
Free Malaysia Today
3 hours ago
- Free Malaysia Today
No need for Syura Council to vet candidates for top 2 posts, says Hashim
PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin said he was among the earliest to support the call for the party's top positions to continue being entrusted to individuals with religious backgrounds. PETALING JAYA : PAS spiritual leader Hashim Jasin has dismissed a call for the party's Syura Council to vet candidates for the president and deputy president's posts. Hashim said that in the current open contest system, those elected typically already have religious backgrounds, reflecting the preferences of PAS members. 'That's why it's not an issue. There's no need for the Syura Council to interfere or set a policy requiring the president and deputy to come strictly from among the ulama or religious scholars,' he told FMT. Hashim said he was among the earliest to support the call for these top positions to continue being entrusted to individuals with religious backgrounds. 'This matter isn't so crucial that the Syura Council needs to vet the candidates to ensure only religious scholars are selected. 'We leave the process as it is because members do not chase after positions in PAS,' he said, noting that there have been no individual candidate campaigns or factional clashes in the run-up to the party's elections in September. Earlier, PAS Dewan Ulama committee member Mokhtar Senik proposed that candidates for the party's top two posts be vetted by the Syura Council, PAS's highest decision-making body. He said this is to ensure that those who intend to challenge the positions currently held by Abdul Hadi Awang and Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man are qualified. Hadi and Tuan Ibrahim are both members of the Syura Council, which is chaired by Hashim. Speculation had emerged that, for the first time, the president and deputy president's posts might be contested at the upcoming party elections. FMT reported that this may happen if Hadi, who has served as president since 2002, steps down, as urged by some members, because of his health. At the same time, there are rumours that Tuan Ibrahim also intends to make way for new leadership, though there have been calls from the pro-ulama faction for him to defend the party's No 2 post. On May 22, PAS vice-president Amar Abdullah had called for the party's top leadership posts, especially those of the president and deputy president, to continue to be held by individuals with religious backgrounds to safeguard the party's Islamic foundation. 'I support that view,' Hashim said, stressing that it is important to ensure the party's policies remain rooted in religion.
