Visit To Myanmar Not A Recognition Of Junta - FM Mohamad

KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian delegation's visit to Myanmar in May did not amount to recognition of the country's new government following its election, but was part of ASEAN's efforts to maintain channels of communication in addressing the crisis in the country, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

He said Malaysia remains steadfast in its position of not recognising the Myanmar junta and stressed that the visit in no way affected the stance of Malaysia and ASEAN on the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus (5PC).

He said the visit followed a decision made at the 48th ASEAN Summit, which called on ASEAN foreign ministers to continue informal engagement with Myanmar.

“I met him (Myanmar Foreign Minister Tin Maung Swe) at a hotel, not at the Foreign Ministry. I conveyed the matters that Malaysia and ASEAN wish to see in order to bring about changes in Myanmar,” he said when replying to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah (PN-Indera Mahkota) in the Dewan Rakyat today. 

Elaborating further, Mohamad said he had also reminded Myanmar during the meeting that while the country has rights as an ASEAN member, it must also fulfil its obligations as a member of the regional bloc.

“I told him that Myanmar has rights as an ASEAN member, but at the same time, it must also consider its responsibilities and obligations as an ASEAN member,” he said.

He said Malaysia would continue to maintain dialogue and communication with Myanmar, as ASEAN does not want the country to be further isolated, thereby creating a vacuum that could be exploited by external parties.

“We must ensure that channels of communication with Myanmar remain open because we do not want the country to be left behind. If it continues to be isolated, a vacuum will emerge and eventually be filled by parties with vested interests, which could be detrimental to ASEAN as a whole,” he said.

Mohamad said Malaysia would hold another round of meetings with Myanmar stakeholders, expected to take place in early or mid-July, as part of ongoing efforts to seek a resolution to the crisis.

He said Malaysia would continue to urge all parties to cease violence, implement a ceasefire, engage in inclusive dialogue and ensure humanitarian assistance reaches the people of Myanmar, in line with the objectives of the 5PC.

-- BERNAMA