Malaysia expresses disappointment for 'continued instability' in Myanmar

By Anadolu staff

Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed disappointment Tuesday “at the lack of meaningful progress in the implementation” of a Five-Point Consensus (5PC) plan and “continued instability” in Myanmar.

Ibrahim spoke at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which established the plan to end the conflict in the Buddhist-majority nation. He wrote on X that the Myanmar issue needs to be resolved “in a coordinated approach.”

Leaders of Southeast Asian nations met in the Indonesian capital for the annual ASEAN summit.

Leaders and representatives from ASEAN’s partner countries, including China, India, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, the Russian Federation, Canada and the US are also attending the summit.

Indonesia, the current chair of the 10-member regional bloc, is hosting the summit to discuss development and strengthening of cooperation between the bloc and its partners.

Regional peace and political violence in junta-ruled Myanmar remain high on the agenda.

Ibrahim said ASEAN leaders discussed with details the implementation of 5PC and the ASEAN outlook on the Indo-Pacific.

He suggested member states would benefit from its dialogue partners including the UN and a firm tone has been thrown to Myanmar to fulfill its obligation as an ASEAN member state.

ASEAN issued the 5PC plan soon after the February 2021 coup launched by Myanmar’s military, when Brunei was at the helm of the regional grouping. It included normalizing the political situation in the Southeast Asian nation.

"At the Plenary session, I touched on the importance of maintaining the axiality, centrality and unity of ASEAN in the midst of geopolitical competition and geo-economic uncertainty," said Ibrahim and urged ASEAN to continue efforts to strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of its institutions and to ensure geopolitical competition will not affect peace, stability and prosperity in the region nor create disparity or confusion among ASEAN partners.

"I further call for ASEAN to implement greater strategic arrangements to enhance economic integration within ASEAN and work towards a vibrant, inclusive, sustainable and resilient regional economic architecture," he said.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid