MALAYSIA will continue to engage with Asean member countries in finding a solution to end the political crisis in Myanmar, Foreign Minister Zambry Abd Kadir said.

He said this was because resolving the conflict in Myanmar required the agreement of all Asean members, and that it concerns issues related to the bloc.

“In this context (Myanmar conflict), we understand that the issue at hand is very, very complicated, so much so there is the possibility of other powers coming in later to intervene.

“It will create an atmosphere of what we call a ‘flashpoint’ in the area and will make the Southeast Asian region unsafe,” he said during the ministers’ question time at the Dewan Rakyat today.

He was replying to a supplementary question from Jimmy Puah Wee Tse (Tebrau-PH), who asked whether Malaysia and other Asean countries are prepared to impose economic sanctions on Myanmar to put pressure on the fellow member country to restore democracy.

Zambry also reiterated Malaysia’s stand not to recognise junta rule in Myanmar following the military coup in the country on February 1, 2021.

“Malaysia is indeed very concerned over the prolonged political and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, even though it shows no signs of abating.

“The implementation of the Asean Five Point Consensus (5PC) has not yet reached a satisfactory level, but Malaysia is continuing efforts to help Myanmar achieve a solution to the conflict in the country,” he said.

The five points are: calling for an immediate end to violence in the country, dialogue among all parties; the appointment of a special envoy, humanitarian assistance by Asean and the special envoy’s visit to Myanmar to meet with all parties in the conflict.

Apart from that, Zambry said despite the crisis in Myanmar, the Malaysian embassy in Myanmar still continues to operate and serves to inform about developments in the country.

“Although the current situation is quite difficult, we still maintain our embassy there through a charge d’affaires in an effort to ensure the discussion and engagement process (with Asean members) can continue from time to time.

“In fact Myanmar is still one of the members of Asean. Like it or not what happens there will have an impact on our country,” he said in response to another supplementary question from Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (Pasir Mas-PN), who wanted to know the impact of bilateral relations between Malaysia and Myanmar in the long term following Putrajaya’s stance of not recognising Myanmar’s junta rule.

February 1, 2023 marked exactly two years since the military led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing took control of Myanmar and since then, Myanmar has been in turmoil politically and economically, with battles all over the country.

Myanmar’s military regime has extended a state of emergency by another six months and postponed elections due to be held by August as the junta battles anti-coup fighters across the country. – Bernama, March 9, 2023.