SHOULD Asean’s special envoy on Myanmar be made a permanent post? That is the discussion that is taking place in Asean diplomatic circles, and the idea is gaining traction.
Myanmar’s participation at Asean meetings has been restricted to non-political representatives.
Asean has been struggling to get Myanmar’s military junta to come on board and adhere to the five-point consensus (5PC) plan drawn up in 2021 by the regional grouping.
The 5PC calls for an immediate end to violence, the delivery of humanitarian assistance, dialogue among all parties, the appointment of a special envoy to Myanmar, and the envoy’s direct engagement with all stakeholders.
Several special envoys later, their work has come to nought.
“If the post is rotated every year, certainly there is no continuity. Myanmar is a complicated issue, there are so many stakeholders involved.
“It is a difficult job, and I think people are seeing that one year is not enough for the envoy. For example, under Indonesia’s chair [in 2023], they did many things, publicised them, and Myanmar did not like it,” said an Asean official.
A diplomat familiar with Myanmar issues said the stakeholders don’t see eye-to-eye among themselves.
“Some even refuse to be in the same room. Negotiations have to be conducted behind closed doors, in confidence. That is why much of these negotiations taking place cannot be revealed.
“A permanent special envoy would be more effective, with more continuity in the work. It takes time to build rapport, confidence, and trust, all of which are vital in this kind of work,” he said.
Malaysia, as the Asean Chair this year, has appointed Tan Sri Othman Hashim as its special envoy. Not much is known of how much work and stakeholder engagements have been done by the former secretary-general of the Foreign Ministry.
Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Hasan said Othman has met with many stakeholders but refused to give more details.
Mohamad said he would be holding the troika meeting on Myanmar and the extended troika meeting next weekend just before the 46th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
“We can’t just meet one side, there are so many sides – the National Unity Government, the State Administration Council [the junta administering Myanmar] – we need to meet all.”
The troika mechanism was established by Asean leaders in 2023 to ensure continuity in the work on handling the crisis in Myanmar. The troika consists of the previous, current, and incoming Asean Chairs. The current members of the troika are Laos, Malaysia, and the Philippines; the extended troika comprises other member states.
“It is a slow and challenging process because we have to deal with not just one but many stakeholders.”
How different is Malaysia’s approach compared with that of the previous chair?
“Not much. We continue what has been done so far. But the earthquakes that hit Myanmar have allowed for humanitarian aid to be sent to the devastated country.
“So far we have managed to get a temporary ceasefire and send humanitarian relief to areas that previously were hard to access,” Mohamad said.
The Foreign Minister felt that a permanent special envoy would be able to gain the confidence of the stakeholders.
“If there is a new one, we are not sure of the level of acceptance. The important thing is that the work continues and builds more confidence among the conflicting parties.
“There are many positive developments. Release of political prisoners and the ceasefire, although temporary, is a good start.
“If possible we want it to be permanent.”
News agencies reported in April that the military government granted amnesty to nearly 4,900 prisoners, including a small portion of political detainees.
Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar, chair of the Malaysian Advisory Group on Myanmar, said it is possible to have a permanent special envoy but wondered whether there would be the political willingness among Asean member states to appoint one.
“Myanmar has supporters among member states that may prefer the rotational status quo because there is still that feeling that this is an internal matter in which we should not interfere.
“The 5PC consensus is a non-starter because there was hardly any movement in the last few years. But following the recent earthquake, Malaysia has taken the opportunity to get the junta to allow humanitarian aid to go in.
“I have a feeling that during Malaysia’s term, there has been greater success because of the natural disaster, it allowed for the stakeholders to be more willing to cooperate.
“But whether Malaysia can turn into a more permanent appointment beyond the chairmanship, that is something else.
“I feel that since we have made some progress, we should push for that. At least there will be a record of some success and movement.
“We always talk about aiming for the low-lying fruit. The access to humanitarian aid is the less contentious approach, and we should work on that basis,” Syed Hamid said.
An Asean official said one year is too short for an envoy to do effective work.
“By the time he is just getting into the groove, getting all his connections, he finishes his term.
“The drawback is that when somebody else takes over, there is no follow up done on what the previous envoy did. Then again, it depends on the personality, how much he wants to do.
“So it goes back to the question, will Asean members agree to a permanent envoy? And if so, how long should the term be?”
Will this year’s Asean Chair put forward the proposal for the rest to consider? Will Othman show something concrete in his report to the leaders at this coming summit?
If he has achieved some success, perhaps it is time for the Chair to throw up the idea of him continuing. But for how long? That is for Asean members to agree to by consensus.
There is also the question of former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s role as an informal adviser to the Asean Chair in tackling the Myanmar conflict.
It is a messy situation that Asean can only hope will go away one day.
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