KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has described Malaysia’s handling of the Myanmar crisis under its Asean chairmanship as a “huge success”, citing less large-scale violence in conflict-hit regions.
Anwar said that while more must be done, there has been notable progress since Malaysia assumed chairmanship of the regional bloc.
“After a year of our intervention, where we negotiated with them (Myanmar junta), they have stopped the major attacks.
“There are still a few isolated incidents, but it is nothing like what we heard two or three years ago, when villages were being destroyed, killings were taking place, and hundreds of thousands were fleeing.
“That is no longer the case. It is still happening to some extent, something we continue to regret, but it is far less severe now,” he said in a press conference after the 47th Asean Summit here today.
Asked what comes next for Asean after being accused of “failing” to deliver on the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) five years on, Anwar rejected the suggestion of failure, saying efforts are ongoing and may take time to yield results.
“It’s been five years? Gaza (has been under siege) for 70 years. We are trying our best to bring change, including to stop the attacks against those in Karen (Kayin) and Rakhine, for example.
“To me, although not fully, it has been a huge success. It’s a good start, although I agree and acknowledge that more work has to be done.”
Anwar said Asean also remains committed to the 5PC, with multiple meetings held between leaders over the past year.
He said this shows that relations among bloc members remain strong, even as Asean maintains a firm position against violence and continued oppression in Myanmar.
The 5PC is an agreement by Asean that calls for the immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar, inclusive dialogue among all parties, the appointment and mediation efforts of a special envoy, and the provision of humanitarian aid.
