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ABC News
12-07-2025
- Politics
- ABC News
Air strike on Buddhist monastery in Myanmar kills more than 20 people
An air strike on a Buddhist monastery in Myanmar's earthquake-struck Sagaing region has killed 23 people, including four children, according to witnesses. A member of a resistance group said the overnight aerial attack on the monastery in Lin Ta Lu village, in Sagaing township, injured about 30 other people, of which 10 were in a critical condition. The resistance member — who spoke on condition of anonymity — said 23 civilians were killed when a jet fighter dropped a bomb on a building in the village's monastery at about 1am. They said more than 150 people from nearby villages had been taking shelter there to avoid recent fighting in the region. Myanmar's independent Democratic Voice of Burma online media reported the death toll could be as high as 30, however the number could not be immediately confirmed. Hlaing Bwa, the head of the pro-democracy group that administers parts of the central region, and a local resident both described the attack as an air strike by the State Administration Council, Myanmar's military junta. The military did not immediately comment on the incident at the monastery, located about 35 kilometres north-west of Mandalay, the country's second largest city. In the past, the army has said it only attacks legitimate targets of war and has accused the resistance forces of being terrorists. The monastery housed about 200 people displaced by nearby fighting between the army and pro-democracy forces, Hlaing Bwa said. The nature of the attack could not immediately be verified. Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, triggering a civil war. After peaceful demonstrations were put down with lethal force, many opponents of military rule took up arms. Large parts of the country are now embroiled in conflict. Days after a devastating magnitude-7.7 earthquake hit Sagaing on March 28, the junta announced a temporary ceasefire to provide humanitarian relief and help rebuild the region, after similar moves from armed anti-junta groups. However, the military has continued to launch air strikes and artillery attacks on rebel-controlled areas, including those already destroyed by the quake, which killed almost 3,700 people. The military has increasingly used air strikes to counter opposition forces, including the armed People's Defence Force in Sagaing region, a stronghold of armed resistance. The resistance has no effective defence against air attacks. The monastery attack comes weeks after hundreds of soldiers took part in an offensive with tanks and aircraft in an area about 5km from Lin Ta Lu to regain territories controlled by the resistance groups. Thousands of people from nearby villages were displaced to the other towns and villages including Lin Ta Lu, the resistance fighter said. Nay Phone Latt, a spokesperson for the opposition's National Unity government, said the military had been trying to retake areas controlled by the resistance ahead of a planned general election later this year. The poll is widely seen as an attempt to normalise the military's seizure of power through the ballot box and to deliver a result that ensures the generals retain control. ABC/wires
New Straits Times
11-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Mohamad: Asean gains trust, recognised as a peaceful region after successful AMM
KUALA LUMPUR: The successful organisation of the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and related meetings proves that the regional bloc is respected and continues to gain the trust of major global powers. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Asean is also increasingly recognised as a peaceful region with excellent economic growth. "Many countries are lining up and waiting to sign the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) because it is the first step for them to become Asean partners. "From the five original member countries, we are now 10, and in October, it will be 11 countries (with the entry of Timor-Leste). More countries are now applying to become Asean sectoral partners and dialogue partners," he told a press conference at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today. Mohamad added that although Asean currently has a moratorium on accepting new dialogue partners, the regional bloc would not be too rigid about it. "There are one or two that need to be considered, and if we accept a country as a dialogue partner, it will add significant value to Asean, so we look at that need," he said. Regarding the successful organisation of the AMM, Mohamad said 21 meetings involving Asean and its strategic partners, as well as the Fourth Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD IV), were held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. "Separately, I held 15 bilateral meetings with my counterparts from Algeria, Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Canada, China, Japan, New Zealand, Palestine, the Philippines, Switzerland, Turkiye, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Uruguay. "During all these meetings, we discussed strengthening bilateral relations and international issues of mutual interest," he said. On Timor-Leste's inclusion as the 11th Asean member state, Mohamad said the regional bloc's foreign ministers acknowledged that related procedural work was underway. "The AMM also adopted the Guidelines for Facilitating Timor-Leste's Participation in Asean Legal Instruments under the purview of the AMM. "The AMM also encouraged Timor-Leste to take action to accede to the relevant legal instruments as soon as possible," he said. Additionally, Mohamad said Asean foreign ministers urged all parties in Myanmar, especially the State Administration Council (SAC), to cease hostilities and violence and adhere to the ceasefire to ensure humanitarian aid can be delivered without obstruction. He said this call was in line with the decision of the 46th Asean Summit held last May. He added that Asean continues to fully support the efforts of the Special Envoy of the Asean Chair on Myanmar, Tan Sri Othman Hashim, in facilitating a peaceful resolution to the crisis. "Malaysia also expressed concern regarding the unsatisfactory implementation of the Five-Point Consensus on the ground. "We urge all stakeholders to take concrete action, especially concerning three main points: the cessation of hostilities, inclusive dialogue involving all parties, and humanitarian assistance to the people of Myanmar," he said.
New Straits Times
11-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Mohamad may travel to Myanmar amid concern over Asean peace plan
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.
The Star
11-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Crisis-hit Myanmar urges US to lift sanctions and slash new tariff rates
YANGON/PHNOM PENH (Bernama): Myanmar is calling on the United States to lift its sanctions and ease recently imposed tariffs, citing the country's continued classification as a Least Developed Country and the severe economic hardships it faces. The State Administration Council Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said the country has faced numerous challenges from health pandemics to natural disasters that inflicted tremendous suffering for the people since 2020, reported the state media The Global New Light of Myanmar today. According to the statement, he has proposed reducing current US tariff rates on Myanmar's exports to a range of 10 to 20 per cent, while reciprocally applying tariffs of zero to 10 per cent on US exports to Myanmar. His proposal comes after US President Donald Trump's administration imposed a 40 per cent tariff on Myanmar this week, reportedly the highest among ASEAN countries. Neighbouring Laos, another least developed country, faced a 40 per cent US trade tariff. Myanmar's key exports to the US include clothing, seafood, and leather goods-sectors that are vital for employment across the country's population of 55 million. It has been grappling with severe economic challenges over the past five years, beginning with the Covid-19 pandemic and further compounded by the military coup in February 2021, which ousted the democratically elected civilian government. The US launched new sanctions against Myanmar following the military takeover, which replaced the democratically elected civilian government, further isolating the Southeast Asian nation. In addition, natural calamities such as Cyclone Mocha in May 2023, Typhoon Yagi in September last year and the powerful 7.7-magnitude Mandalay earthquake in March dented the nation's economic recovery. The new tariff structure announced by the US is expected to further strain Myanmar's internal problems, as it prepares for a general election later this year. Min Aung Hlaing said his government is ready to send a high-level negotiation team to Washington to discuss the tariff issue. "He (Min Aung Hlaing) respectfully requests the President (Trump) to reconsider easing and lifting the economic sanctions imposed on Myanmar, as they hinder the shared interests and prosperity of both countries and their peoples,' said the statement. According to the World Bank, about three million people have been displaced since the coup. - Bernama
South China Morning Post
11-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Myanmar junta chief hails Trump in rare overture, seeks tariff cuts
Myanmar's junta chief Min Aung Hlaing praised Donald Trump in a rare letter and compared his military's coup to the US president's baseless claims of election fraud, suggesting both leaders were victims of rigged votes. 'Similar to the challenges you encountered during the 2020 election of the US, we also experienced major electoral fraud and significant irregularities,' Min Aung Hlaing wrote to Trump, in the regime's first known direct correspondence with the US government in over four years. The Myanmar junta has offered no credible evidence to support their claims, US officials have said, and numerous US courts have rejected Trump's claims of fraud. In the letter released by the ruling State Administration Council, the general praised Trump's leadership 'with the spirit of a true patriot' and his efforts to promote global peace. The outreach comes as the isolated regime, shunned by most Western nations, seeks international legitimacy beyond its key partners China and Russia. Min Aung Hlaing also appealed for US sanctions relief, requesting that Trump help ease or lift restrictions imposed after the 2021 military takeover that ousted the elected, civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi.
