Myanmar crisis addressed - The Star Online

JAKARTA: The Asean Leaders’ Meeting, which has just concluded, has succeeded in addressing the Myanmar crisis, says Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

“We have succeeded. It’s beyond our expectations in getting the outcome from today’s (yesterday) meeting, ” he added.

Asean constructively engaged with Mynmar junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing at the meeting held at the Asean Secretariat here yesterday.

Muhyiddin said Myanmar accepted all the three proposals put forward by Malaysia in tackling the crisis.

First, to de-escalate the situation on the ground, and stop the killing and violence against civilians. Second, to release political detainees promptly and unconditionally.

Third, to allow the Asean Chair and Asean secretary-general to have access into Myanmar, including to all parties concerned.

“Myanmar responded well and did not reject all the three proposals by Malaysia, ” said Muhyiddin.

The Myanmar crisis took the centre stage at yesterday’s meeting.

Myanmar’s military overthrew the civilian government and declared a year-long state of emergency.

The coup triggered mass protests met by deadly violence, resulting in hundreds of people having been killed since then.

“General Min agreed that violence must stop, ” said Muhyiddin.

Apart from the three proposals by Malaysia, Muhyiddin said Myanmar also agreed to proposals by other Asean countries including humanitarian assistance and national reconciliation efforts in settling the crisis.

Muhyiddin said the outcomes of the meeting proved some critics wrong about the regional grouping not doing anything in addressing the crisis.

“We are very concerned with the development in Myanmar and we are finding ways to tackle the crisis, ” he said.

The Prime Minister said Asean will continue to play its role in overcoming the crisis.

Muhyiddin also held a bilateral meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh on the sidelines of the meeting at the Asean Secretariat before flying back to Kuala Lumpur last night.

The special meeting, which discussed the crisis in Myanmar, adhered to strict Covid-19 health and security protocols set by the Indonesian government. — Bernama