Anwar: Meeting with Myanmar junta under Asean mandate

New Straits Times

9 hours ago

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim defended his meeting with Myanmar junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing in Bangkok last April, stating that it was conducted under an Asean mandate.
Anwar stressed that the first such meeting by an Asean chair since the 2021 coup was mandated to secure a ceasefire and enable post-earthquake humanitarian assistance following the devastating earthquake on March 28 in Myanmar.
He said the matter was discussed with all the leaders of Asean, and none objected.
"I came with that mandate. Number one, ceasefire. Of course, there may be one or two scuffles, but then it was agreed.
"Number two, humanitarian assistance, transparent, no discrimination. We had our field hospital from the military, from Malaysia to serve all from all regions (in Myanmar)," he said in an interview with France 24 published on the network's digital platforms today.
The Prime Minister met Min Aung Hlaing, who is also the Chairman of Myanmar's State Administration Council, in Bangkok on April 18 during his two-day working visit to Thailand.
Anwar described the engagement as a strategic shift from Asean's previous non-engagement policy, which had failed to produce results.
"But at least now, for a month, there's been a ceasefire. Yes, there have been complaints of one or two incidents, but not the continued bombings and destruction," he said.
On the issue of territorial disputes in the South China Sea, Anwar said Malaysia takes a consistent and balanced approach, adding that the country has maritime borders with multiple neighbours.
"Malaysia is a maritime country. We have border issues with all our neighbours, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam. But we didn't go to war," he said.
Anwar stressed that Malaysia supports Asean's collective position in urging China and all involved parties to agree on a Code of Conduct.
"For 20 years, this has not happened. But the Chinese responded in Jakarta last year. They said yes, they will look at it. They are supportive," he said, adding that efforts will continue.
When asked about the possibility of an actual war between the US and China over Taiwan, Anwar said he is not overly concerned about the risk of military conflict, expressing confidence that both sides would avoid war.
"No, I'm not that pessimistic because I think both leaders would want to avoid war. Whatever you may say about President Donald Trump, he represents a position, a president in the US that does not want or encourage wars."
Anwar also highlighted China's stance, based on his engagements with President Xi Jinping, saying the Chinese leader has been very firm on the issue of avoiding any sort of violent reaction or offensive against any country. - BERNAMA