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Malay Mail
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Malaysia intensifies efforts for peace in Myanmar, urges OIC to boost relief aid and support ceasefire
KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 — As Asean Chair, Malaysia has called for enhanced collaboration between Asean and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to address the deteriorating situation in Myanmar, with a focus on ending violence, alleviating the humanitarian crisis, and supporting long-term peace in the country. Delivering a statement at the OIC Contact Group on Rohingya Muslims of Myanmar in Istanbul, Turkiye on Sunday, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Malaysia is deeply concerned about the situation in Myanmar, particularly the plight of displaced Rohingyas, and stressed the need to ensure their safe, dignified and sustained return to Rakhine State. He added that it is crucial to create a safe, secure and enabling environment for the timely and effective distribution of aid to all affected communities, following the serious humanitarian crisis caused by the March 28 earthquake. 'Malaysia is committed to taking a constructive approach to address the situation in Myanmar. We have identified three key priorities, which are to promote inclusive political dialogue; ensure the cessation of violence; and to scale up humanitarian assistance. 'Malaysia encourages greater engagement between the OIC Member States and the stakeholders, while focusing on ending the violence, (and) alleviating the humanitarian crisis with a view of supporting peace in Myanmar,' he said. Mohamad said Malaysia, through the Asean Special Envoy, Tan Sri Othman Hashim, has intensified efforts to engage inclusively with all stakeholders; however at present, there are many stakeholders in Myanmar. He said such inclusive engagement would lay important groundwork for deeper cooperation on shared priorities, particularly in advancing humanitarian assistance. 'In this regard, Malaysia would like the OIC Contact Group and our Special Envoy to identify fields of collaboration that could further complement efforts in supporting a peaceful and inclusive resolution,' he said. On the humanitarian crisis following the deadly earthquake in Myanmar, Mohamad urged all parties to move towards a more permanent ceasefire and to work collectively towards a sustainable resolution to the crisis. At present, he said the conflicting parties had announced a unilateral temporary ceasefire. 'Despite these encouraging developments, funding for humanitarian efforts remains critically insufficient. 'We encourage members of the OIC to continue their support for relief efforts,' he said. Malaysia has contributed 30 tonnes of humanitarian aid consisting of essential supplies, deployed the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART), and set-up a field hospital immediately after the earthquake — in Sagaing City, the area most affected by the earthquake. — Bernama
Malay Mail
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
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
