Malaysia seeking UN's help to set up humanitarian donor forum for Myanmar

KUANTAN: Malaysia is requesting the cooperation of the United Nations to set up an inclusive humanitarian donor forum for Myanmar.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah said the forum, proposed by the National Unity Government of Myanmar (NUG), is needed as there are many non-governmental organisations channeling humanitarian assistance at Myanmar's borders.

"These NGOs do not want to cooperate with the junta. There are international donors that also do not want to provide funding if the junta is involved.

"Therefore, the NUG has proposed the establishment of the forum that will enable NGOs to work and funds can be channelled in a transparent manner," Saifuddin said after having a video call with UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres on Monday (Nov 14).

Saifuddin said NUG had proposed that the forum be mobilised together with the participation of the UN secretary-general's as well as the Asean special envoy.

He also said that Malaysia was not satisfied with the development of the five-point consensus, which was not seeing any headway.

"I told him (Guterres) that Malaysia would maintain our proposed framework which has clear objectives and an end game. Our proposal is to restore an inclusive and fair democracy in Myanmar.

"Before that can happen, there must be a transition plan involving all stakeholders," said Saifuddin.

He said if elections had to be held, it must have the agreement of all stakeholders.

"Malaysia does not agree with the elections announced by the junta for next year.

"The junta has no moral standing to talk about elections since Myanmar already had a free election recognised by international observers. The pro-democracy group won big in the elections but before the Myanmar parliament had a chance to sit, the junta seized power.

"So it's illogical for Malaysia and Asean to support the junta's elections," said Saifuddin, adding that the junta had also amended several election rules.

On another matter, Saifuddin expressed Malaysia's condolences to Turkiye on the attack in Istanbul that killed six people and injured 88 others.

He said no Malaysians were involved in the incident but advised those in Turkiye to be careful and stay in contact with the Malaysian embassies in Ankara or Istanbul.