MANILA: Asean has yet to agree to Myanmar's request to resume participation in ministerial and leaders' meetings, despite the country remaining a member of the regional bloc, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
The Foreign Minister said Asean would maintain its existing arrangement, under which Myanmar's participation in such meetings is limited to senior non-political representatives.
He said the restriction was introduced following the military coup in Myanmar in 2021 but stressed that it did not amount to a suspension of the country's Asean membership.
"The measure was implemented following the military coup in Myanmar in 2021, but it does not mean the country's membership in Asean has been suspended," he said.
Mohamad said this at a press conference following the Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in conjunction with the 49th Asean Summit here on Saturday (Nov 14).
He said that although Asean adhered to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of its member states, the crisis in Myanmar had affected neighbouring countries, including Malaysia.
Mohamad added that Asean was also mindful of the need to avoid exerting excessive pressure on Myanmar, which could prompt the country to withdraw from the regional grouping.
He said the priority was to ensure that Asean remained united.
