ASEAN Summit: Dedicated Sessions Highlight Malaysia's commitment To resolving Myanmar Crisis
By Noor Bakhtiar Ahmad
KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's decision to host two back-to-back ASEAN meetings that focus solely on the protracted crisis in Myanmar ahead of the 46th ASEAN Summit next week underscores Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's seriousness and steadfast commitment to addressing the situation, analysts said.
Asian Studies and geopolitical expert Prof Dr James Chin of the University of Tasmania said that holding the special meetings means Anwar, as the ASEAN 2025 Chair, has placed the Myanmar crisis high on his agenda for the year.
'And that's actually a good thing. As you know, ASEAN has been trying to resolve the Myanmar issue for some time. They have a Five-Point Consensus, which the junta agreed to but has refused to implement.
'So, if Anwar can push this forward, if he can secure some kind of ceasefire or even a reconciliation agreement between the junta and the opposition, that would be a major step, not just for ASEAN but also for Anwar himself. It would significantly enhance his international reputation,' he told Bernama.
The week-long 46th ASEAN Summit and related meetings which commenced at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) today have dedicated two special sessions in the efforts to address the quagmire in Myanmar.
The first meeting on informal consultation will be participated by the previous, current and incoming ASEAN Chairs, namely Laos, Malaysia and the Philippines respectively, while the extended informal consultation will involve all Foreign Ministers of ASEAN member states except Myanmar.
These meetings, scheduled for tomorrow, will be chaired by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
ASEAN secretary-general Dr Kao Kim Hourn told Reuters in an interview recently that these two meetings are something new as they focus on the Myanmar situation and will not discuss other issues.
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