Former Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato’ Sri Saifuddin Abdullah and three former United Nations experts have called on Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to lead a new ASEAN strategy on Myanmar. This appeal follows Anwar’s recent meetings with both Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) Prime Minister Mahn Win Khaing Thann and junta leader Min Aung Hlaing.
The call, issued on 19 May 2025, was made by Abdullah, Marzuki Darusman, Yanghee Lee, and Chris Sidoti, all founding members of the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar (SAC-M). The group stressed the urgency for Prime Minister Anwar to leverage his position as ASEAN Chair to advocate for a new policy direction regarding Myanmar.
This statement comes as Malaysia prepares to host the 46th ASEAN Summit on 26 and 27 May 2025 in Kuala Lumpur. The summit is expected to address regional security and humanitarian issues, with the Myanmar crisis likely to dominate discussions.
Controversial engagement with junta leader
Prime Minister Anwar’s meeting with junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has drawn criticism. While Anwar sought to secure an extension of the junta’s claimed ceasefire, the SAC-M highlighted that this ceasefire was not genuine.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk condemned the ongoing violence against civilians, noting that attacks have persisted despite the supposed ceasefire.
According to the NUG, airstrikes by the junta since the devastating Sagaing earthquakes on 28 March 2025 have killed at least 334 civilians, including 32 children.
A particularly brutal incident occurred on 12 May when a school in O Htein Twin village, Sagaing, was bombed, resulting in the deaths of 22 children and two teachers, and injuries to over 100 civilians.
ASEAN’s response under scrutiny
The statement from the SAC-M emphasised that the junta has consistently disregarded ASEAN’s Five Point Consensus (5PC) since its power grab in 2021. The SAC-M described Anwar’s meeting with the junta leader as a catalyst for a necessary shift in ASEAN’s approach, declaring the 5PC obsolete.
The SAC-M called for a New 5PC, proposing that ASEAN take the following steps:
- Inclusive dialogue: Facilitate negotiations between the NUG, Ethnic Revolutionary Organizations (EROs), and other armed groups to end attacks and establish a nationwide ceasefire. ASEAN and the UN Security Council would support and enforce this ceasefire.
- Humanitarian coordination: Work with key stakeholders, including the NUG and civil society, to ensure impartial aid delivery. ASEAN should secure international financial support for recovery and reconstruction, and guarantee humanitarian access without obstruction.
- Democratic transition: Develop credible procedures for nationwide elections monitored by international observers, to be held once a legitimate peace agreement is secured.
- Constitutional reform: Assist in drafting a federal democratic constitution, ensuring military subordination to a civilian government and parliament.
- Justice for crimes: Promote accountability for international crimes and cooperate with courts and tribunals to ensure justice for human rights abuses, rejecting any amnesties for such crimes.
Humanitarian crisis escalates
The ongoing violence in Myanmar has resulted in the displacement of over 3.5 million people since the military coup in 2021. Millions more face poverty, exacerbated by the military’s control over aid distribution during natural disasters.
The SAC-M stressed that ASEAN must address these humanitarian challenges effectively.
Prime Minister Anwar’s leadership as ASEAN Chair is under intense scrutiny. The SAC-M has made clear that his handling of the Myanmar situation could shape both Malaysia’s reputation and ASEAN’s credibility on the international stage.
The group urged Anwar to pursue a principled and decisive stance at the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
ASEAN’s credibility at stake
With ASEAN’s credibility tarnished by years of inaction and ineffective consensus-building, the SAC-M warned that any failure to overhaul the regional bloc’s approach could further erode its standing.
Anwar’s commitment to a new process could not only secure Malaysia’s success as ASEAN Chair but also provide much-needed leadership in resolving the Myanmar crisis, said members of the SAC-M.
The SAC-M, comprising international human rights experts, continues to advocate for peace, democracy, justice, and accountability in Myanmar. The group’s call reflects growing international frustration over ASEAN’s perceived inability to influence the junta’s actions and restore peace in the country.
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