The junta said Malaysia would send observation teams to its long-delayed election, as it battles multiple rebel forces opposed to the poll.
A civil war has consumed Myanmar since the military snatched power in a 2021 coup, jailing democratic figurehead Aung San Suu Kyi and deposing her civilian government.
The military has touted elections – due to start in phases on Dec 28 – as a path to reconciliation.
However, monitors are slating the poll as a ploy to legitimise continuing military rule, while it is set to be boycotted by many ousted lawmakers and blocked by armed opposition groups in enclaves they control.
Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan arrived in the capital Naypyidaw on Thursday to meet with Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing.
State-run Global New Light of Myanmar said yesterday that Mohamad “vowed to send election observation teams to Myanmar”.
As chair of Asean, Malaysia “guaranteed that Asean will emphasise the best cooperation with Myanmar in its endeavours”, it said.
The Malaysian foreign ministry did not immediately respond to request for comment.
An earlier statement from the ministry said Myanmar’s planned elections as well as the cessation of hostilities were on the meeting agenda. — AFP
