Malaysia: Violence In Myanmar Is Getting Worse

JAKARTA - Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said the violence in Myanmar was still continuing and even getting worse.

“As of today, there has been no real progress on the Five-Point Consensus (5PC). The violence continued, even worse. There is no inclusive or fair consultation between all key stakeholders in the ASEAN-junta dialogue. The junta monopolizes and politicizes humanitarian aid," Saifuddin wrote in his Facebook post as reported by ANTARA from OANA/Bernama Friday, July 29.

Therefore, according to Saifuddin, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in November needs to make a big decision on the Five-Point Consensus (5PC).

He provided options on the consensus with options whether it should be continued or improved and whether there should be something new to replace it.

After meeting with various key stakeholders including Myanmar's shadow government (NUG) and the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), Saifuddin argued that ASEAN needs to have a framework that has a solution and lays out the processes needed to reach that solution.

"The final solution is a Myanmar that is democratic, inclusive and just, peaceful and harmonious, prosperous whose civil and political rights are guaranteed by the Constitution," he said.

He said in this context, ASEAN needs to have accurate and up-to-date information about what is really happening in Myanmar by obtaining direct information from the parties involved.

This should be followed by inclusive and fair consultation by all key stakeholders, to find ways to implement this framework, including on matters or processes such as fair and transparent humanitarian assistance, transition plans and implementing parties (truce, stabilization and transition), the People's Constitution, and free elections agreed upon by all.

"ASEAN needs to act as a facilitator together with the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy for Myanmar, with the participation and support of the international community," said Saifuddin.

Meanwhile, Saifuddin said Malaysia would raise two issues at the ASEAN foreign ministers meeting in Phnom Penh on August 3, 2022.

First, Malaysia will emphasize Myanmar should not send political representatives to all ASEAN ministerial meetings and second, starting with that meeting until the ASEAN Summit in November, the framework for implementing the 5PC will be discussed.

In April 2021, Myanmar junta head Min Aung Hlaing agreed to implement the 5PC calling for an immediate cessation of violence, holding dialogue with all key stakeholders, appointment of special envoys to facilitate mediation and delegations to visit and meet with stakeholders in Myanmar, as well as to allow ASEAN provides humanitarian assistance to people in Myanmar.

Since the coup on February 1, 2021, at least 2,114 people have been killed in Myanmar by the State Administration Council (SAC), led by Min, in its campaign to suppress widespread opposition to military rule.

Finally, last weekend, the junta executed four pro-democracy activists. The move drew worldwide criticism.