CEBU, Philippines (Bernama): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said ASEAN leaders were seriously considering a more "effective and aggressive” engagement with Myanmar, guided by the Five-Point Consensus (5PC).
He said his earlier engagement with Myanmar during Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship last year was undertaken on his own initiative, but despite informing ASEAN leaders after meeting Myanmar’s Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in Bangkok, there had been no real commitment at the time to move the process forward.
However, he said that for the first time, ASEAN leaders had now shown a willingness to adopt a more proactive approach towards Myanmar, including the possibility of visits by foreign ministers and other regional leaders to the country.
"This is not the final resolution as it will take time, but at least there is major progress,” he told Malaysian media after attending the 48th ASEAN Summit, here on Friday.
When asked whether there was any deadline for Myanmar to rejoin ASEAN meetings, Anwar replied: "Not yet.”
Earlier, media reports said Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow planned to invite his Myanmar counterpart to a meeting with top regional diplomats.
ASEAN has barred Myanmar’s top leaders from attending its summits since the military overthrew civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi in a coup in February 2021, allowing only non-political representatives to attend high-level meetings.
Meanwhile, Anwar stressed that the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) must continue so Myanmar can be reintegrated into the ASEAN fold.
However, he said this does not mean that other issues, including the Rohingya atrocities, will be set aside.
On the South China Sea, the Prime Minister said Malaysia maintains that negotiations should be resolved among ASEAN countries and China without interference from external powers.
He stressed the importance of finalising a legally binding Code of Conduct (COC) to ensure peace and stability in the waters is preserved.
"We also maintain the view that the COC between ASEAN and China should be expedited. So far, the Foreign Ministry has emphasised that there has been progress in that direction,” he said.
Meanwhile, Anwar said ASEAN must continue to uphold the principle of neutrality without siding with any major power, while maintaining good relations with all countries in line with the principle of ASEAN centrality.
"We are firm in our position that ASEAN remains independent, neutral but principled,” he said. -- BERNAMA
