Malaysian PM Anwar says Asean should ‘carve’ Myanmar out for now

Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim said he remains optimistic about the future of Asean, but stressed that Myanmar's junta needs to end "atrocities" committed against its people. - AFP

BANGKOK, Feb 11 (The Straits Times/ANN): Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said on Friday that Asean should “carve” Myanmar out for now, rather than let the country’s crisis hinder the 10-nation bloc.

“We should carve Myanmar out for now, and I don’t think the Myanmar issue should frustrate our moves. It would be ideal if we could have just a strong consensus in giving a strong message to the Myanmar regime,” he said in Thailand during his first official visit since assuming the premiership.