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The Sun
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Malaysia ramps up preparations for 47th Asean Summit
CYBERJAYA: Preparations are underway for the 47th Asean Summit in October, with Malaysia working closely with regional counterparts to ensure continuity and progress on key issues. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said ongoing cooperation with leaders from Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia aims to maintain a unified and inclusive approach. 'We want continuity so the next chair knows what needs to be done and nothing is left disconnected,' he said after attending the 58th Asean Day celebration yesterday. Mohamad also confirmed plans to visit Myanmar on Sept 19 ahead of the summit. 'We will continue to follow through on what has been promised, including extending and expanding the ceasefire,' he said. The visit will also allow him to observe how the new administration is functioning following the lifting of the state of emergency and the establishment of the State Security and Peace Council. 'Although the highest authority remains the National Defence and Security Council, I want to observe the situation closely. Myanmar has clearly stated it will hold elections, which is why the national state of emergency was not extended, as required by their constitution,' he said. Mohamad noted that 63 towns remain under local states of emergency enforced by the council and stressed the need for clarity on whether the upcoming elections will be comprehensive. 'So, I want to get a clear picture to present to the Asean leadership in October,' he said. The 58th anniversary of Asean, themed 'Towards an Inclusive and Sustainable Asean Future', was celebrated yesterday. Mohamad reflected on the region's historic journey and current challenges, noting that the 1960s marked a defining moment when Southeast Asia's five founding nations – Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand – came together amid global superpower tensions to form Asean as a bold experiment in peace and multilateralism. 'Over the past 58 years, Asean has grown into a unique organisation, setting new standards in global governance through diversity and consensus,' he said. Mohamad reaffirmed Malaysia's commitment to Asean's vision of an inclusive and sustainable Southeast Asia as outlined in the Asean Community Vision 2045, which aims to build a resilient and people-centred region over the next two decades. He also underlined Asean's proactive role in managing regional crises, particularly in Myanmar, through principled crisis management and efforts to uphold the credibility of the Five-Point Consensus. 'As Asean chair, Malaysia successfully facilitated a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand in Putrajaya, demonstrating the bloc's ability to act decisively. Bringing the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia together to agree on a ceasefire shows Asean's strength and value as a platform, just as our founding fathers envisioned,' he said. Mohamad called for continued unity and commitment, stressing that Asean's ideals are not passive but require ongoing dedication. 'As we move forward, let us embody the spirit of our founders, to speak as one, united in purpose,' he said while wishing all a happy Asean Day.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Tok Mat, Asean foreign ministers to visit Myanmar Sept 19
CYBERJAYA: Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan will travel to Myanmar on Sept 19 with his counterparts from Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia to gain a clearer picture of the country's situation. Mohamad said the visit was to demonstrate Asean unity, especially since the Philippines would be chairing the bloc in 2026. "We want continuity so that the next chair knows what needs to be done, what actions to take. So it's not disjointed. We will continue and build on what we have done," he said. He said the visit would also allow him to observe the country's new administration. "They have now formed what is called the State Security and Peace Council, a committee on national peace and security. However, the highest authority remains the National Defence and Security Council. So that's what I want to observe," he said. Myanmar's junta leader has been excluded from Asean summits since the military coup in 2021, due to the regime's failure to implement the bloc's peace roadmap. Since then, Asean has been pushing for a diplomatic resolution to Myanmar's civil conflict. Mohamad said he wanted to get a clear picture of the country's situation ahead of the 47th Asean Summit in October. He added that Myanmar must deliver on its promise of an "extended and expanded ceasefire." "They have clearly stated that Myanmar will be holding elections. That is why they have ended or chosen not to extend their state of emergency. This is in accordance with their constitution," he said. "So, I want to discuss with them what kind of election will be held, will it be a comprehensive election? Because there are still 63 cities or areas currently still under a state of emergency." Mohamad first said he would visit Myanmar before the 47th Asean Summit in October to meet its leaders on July 11, following the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting.
The Sun
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
FM Mohamad to lead ASEAN visit to Myanmar on Sept 19
CYBERJAYA: Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan will lead an official ASEAN team to assess the situation in Myanmar on Sept 19. Mohamad said the delegation, which includes his counterparts from Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia, will check on the situation under the new administration following the dissolution of the junta government and the end of the state of emergency. 'Previously, they (Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia) went separately, but we are practising unity. We're also bringing the Philippines because they will chair ASEAN in 2026. 'We want continuity so that the incoming Chair knows what needs to be done and what actions to take. It should not be disjointed. We will continue and build upon what we've done,' he said. He was speaking to the media after the 58th ASEAN Day celebration, which was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim here today. Mohamad said Myanmar must act on the commitments it has made, particularly by extending and expanding the ceasefire. 'I will go there, most likely on the proposed date of Sept 19, ahead of the 47th ASEAN Summit in October,' he said. Mohamad noted that Myanmar had announced plans to hold a general election, and that the decision to cancel or not extend the state of emergency was made in accordance with its Constitution. However, he wants clarification on whether the election would be implemented comprehensively, as 63 towns or areas are still under emergency rule imposed by Myanmar's National Defence and Security Council (NDSC). 'The country has lifted the state of emergency, but these 63 areas remain under emergency rule. I want to get a clearer picture to present to ASEAN leaders in October,' he said. On July 31, it was reported that Myanmar's junta had announced the formation of a new body to organise a general election by the end of this year, effectively ending the state of emergency enforced since the 2021 coup. With the formation of the new Security and Peace Commission, also chaired by Min Aung Hlaing, the junta declared that the state of emergency had officially ended. - Bernama
Barnama
6 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
FM Mohamad To Lead ASEAN Visit To Myanmar On Sept 19
CYBERJAYA, Aug 8 (Bernama) -- Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan will lead an official ASEAN team to assess the situation in Myanmar on Sept 19. Mohamad said the delegation, which includes his counterparts from Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia, will check on the situation under the new administration following the dissolution of the junta government and the end of the state of emergency. 'Previously, they (Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia) went separately, but we are practising unity. We're also bringing the Philippines because they will chair ASEAN in 2026. 'We want continuity so that the incoming Chair knows what needs to be done and what actions to take. It should not be disjointed. We will continue and build upon what we've done,' he said. He was speaking to the media after the 58th ASEAN Day celebration, which was officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim here today. Mohamad said Myanmar must act on the commitments it has made, particularly by extending and expanding the ceasefire. 'I will go there, most likely on the proposed date of Sept 19, ahead of the 47th ASEAN Summit in October,' he said. Mohamad noted that Myanmar had announced plans to hold a general election, and that the decision to cancel or not extend the state of emergency was made in accordance with its Constitution. However, he wants clarification on whether the election would be implemented comprehensively, as 63 towns or areas are still under emergency rule imposed by Myanmar's National Defence and Security Council (NDSC).
The Star
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Junta's acting president dies at 74
Limited power: Myint Swe was largely a figurehead during his stint as acting president. — AP MYINT Swe, the country's acting president and a former general sanctioned by the United States for his role in a coup, has died at the age of 74 from Parkinson's disease and related neurological disorders. His death was announced by the press office of the National Defence and Security Council. 'Acting President Myint Swe passed away at 8.28am,' it said in a statement yesterday, adding that a state funeral is planned, without mentioning the exact date. Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing is expected to fully assume Myint Swe's duties. He has already been serving as acting president during National Defence Council meetings in the capital Naypyidaw. Myint Swe, a former lieutenant-general, became the acting president after the military ousted the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi during a February 2021 coup. He was seen as a junta stalwart and mostly a ceremonial figure under Min Aung Hlaing. Myint Swe previously served as army-appointed first vice-president and was sanctioned by the United States alongside Min Aung Hlaing for being one of the 'perpetrators' of the coup. The US Treasury said in its sanctions notice that he was one of the people 'who played a leading role in the overthrow of Burma's democratically elected government'. Since the coup, Myint Swe has rarely been seen in public. As the chair of the National Defence and Security Council, he was mainly responsible for granting and renewing the military chief's powers during the prolonged state of emergency until he took medical leave on July 18, 2024. After receiving treatment in Singapore and Naypyidaw in mid-2024 and continuing care at home, Myint Swe was sidelined. Min Aung Hlaing assumed his duties, extending emergency rule twice before lifting it last week. A close ally of former junta chief Than Shwe, Myint Swe served in the military for about four decades before becoming Yangon's chief minister in 2011. He was reportedly responsible for the previous junta's violent crackdown on protesters during the 2007 Saffron Revolution. The United States sanctioned him but removed the designation in 2016. In 2017, Myint Swe led an inquiry into the military's so-called clearance operations in Rakhine state, which forced hundreds of thousands of Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh and drew global condemnation. The Myint Swe-led commission dismissed allegations of genocide, saying there was 'insufficient evidence to take legal action'. — Bloomberg
