PUTRAJAYA: Asean’s Five-Point Consensus remains the backbone of regional efforts to address the refugee issue in Myanmar, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
The Foreign Minister said Malaysia viewed the refugee issue as one that must be managed collectively within Asean.
“That is why Asean speaks with one voice on the Myanmar issue. The Five-Point Consensus remains the core Asean mechanism for Myanmar, and we want the Myanmar government to fulfil the commitments made by Asean leaders, because this consensus was agreed to by all, including Myanmar’s own leaders.
“If there are any modifications or changes to the Five-Point Consensus, they must be brought back to the negotiating table and decided collectively by Asean leaders,” he said on Monday (Aug 10) during the 59th Asean Day celebration here.
He added that recently in Cebu, Philippines, Asean foreign ministers had been tasked with assessing the latest developments in Myanmar, as well as evaluating and recommending further action, particularly on the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus.
The Five-Point Consensus is a collective Asean call for an immediate end to violence, dialogue among all parties, appointment of a special envoy, humanitarian aid, and a visit by the envoy to Myanmar.
Regarding the repatriation of some 5,000 refugees to Myanmar, Mohamad said the country's new Foreign Minister had expressed readiness to receive them by ship, but there is still a pending safety review on this.
Mohamad added the refugees had already been identified, but no timeframe had been set for their repatriation.
