PUTRAJAYA (Bernama): Malaysia will raise Myanmar’s plan to hold elections as well as its invitation for Asean member states to send election observers, at the 47th Asean Summit at the end of this month, the Foreign Ministry said.
It said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has emphasised that Myanmar must conduct its upcoming elections in a free, fair, transparent, and credible manner, with the participation of all political parties and stakeholders across the country.
The ministry said Mohamad stated this in his meetings with the Chairman of Myanmar‘s State Security and Peace Commission (SSPC) and Acting President of Myanmar, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Prime Minister and Union Minister for National Planning, U Nyo Saw, and Union Minister of Foreign Affairs U Than Swe during his working visit to Nay Pyi Taw on Oct 9.
He noted that SSPC has extended an invitation to Asean Member States to send election observers, with an invitation to Malaysia addressed to the Election Commission of Malaysia (SPR).
"As Asean Chair, this matter will be raised and discussed by ASEAN Member States at the upcoming 47th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur,” the ministry said in a statement Friday.
SSPC has planned to hold an election on December 28.
In his engagements during the one-day visit, the Foreign Minister reiterated the importance of implementing the Asean Five-Point Consensus (5PC), namely the cessation of violence, humanitarian assistance, and inclusive dialogue with all Myanmar stakeholders.
Mohamad also reaffirmed Malaysia’s readiness to offer its "good offices” and provide a conducive and neutral environment to facilitate inclusive dialogue with all Myanmar stakeholders, underscoring Asean’s commitment to an all-inclusive solution.
"The Foreign Minister conveyed to the Chairman and Foreign Minister of the SSPC the aspirations of Myanmar stakeholders, which were the outcome of engagements undertaken by Malaysia with a wide spectrum of stakeholders since assuming the Chairmanship of Asean earlier this year.
Other discussions covered transnational crimes, including drug trafficking and online scams, the admission of Timor-Leste into Asean, and the situation of the Rohingya.
The visit reaffirmed Asean's commitment to supporting a Myanmar-led, inclusive, and sustainable peace process.
"Malaysia will also continue to actively engage with all Myanmar stakeholders in pursuit of an inclusive and sustainable path towards peace and national reconciliation,” it added.
Myanmar has been embroiled in a protracted political and humanitarian crisis since the military ousted the democratically elected National Unity Government (NUG) on Feb 1, 2021. - Bernama
