Malaysia calls for Myanmar truce extension, pushes for peace deal
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A school building damaged in a bombardment carried out by the military in Myamnar's Sagaing region on May 12. The country's post-earthquake ceasefire is due to run out at the end of May.
PHOTO: AFP
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KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia on May 25 called for the extension and expansion of a post-earthquake ceasefire in Myanmar due to run out at the end of May, despite ongoing fighting calling into question its effectiveness.
The ruling military junta initially declared a truce in the many-sided civil war after a huge quake in late March
That agreement, which has been extended before, is due to expire at the end of May – though conflict monitors say fighting and junta airstrikes have continued throughout.
At a meeting of regional foreign ministers on May 25, Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan “proposed the extension and expansion of ceasefires beyond the currently affected zones”, a statement said.
“We call on the stakeholders in Myanmar to cease hostilities, and to extend and expand the ceasefire, to facilitate the long and difficult path towards recovery, and ease the suffering of the people of Myanmar,” he said in his opening remarks.
The United Nations and independent conflict monitors say the junta has continued its campaign of aerial bombardment despite the ceasefire.
Numerous anti-coup and ethnic armed groups have made their own pledges to pause hostilities.
However, some residents in eastern Myanmar said they have been displaced as anti-coup forces besieged junta-held towns.
More than 6,600 people have been killed since the coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, and millions displaced.
‘Myanmar must comply’
Malaysia currently holds the rotating chairmanship of the 10-country Asean, with leaders due to meet at a summit in Kuala Lumpur on May 26.
The bloc has led so far fruitless diplomatic efforts to end Myanmar’s conflict since the junta staged a coup, deposing civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021.
Asean has struggled to implement a five-point peace plan agreed by all bloc leaders, including the junta, in April 2021.
As a result, junta officials have been barred from Asean summits over lack of progress on a peace deal.
“One thing for sure that we agreed is that Myanmar’s government... must comply with the five points consensus which they themselves agreed on as one of the signatories,” Mr Mohamad said later on May 25.
He stressed two of the most important points were an immediate halt to hostilities, and the appointment of a special envoy to visit Myanmar’s capital Naypyitaw.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim met Myanmar’s junta leader Min Aung Hlaing in Bangkok in April and urged him to respect the truce.
That followed an earlier visit by Mr Mohamad and Thai counterpart Maris Sangiampongsa to Naypyitaw as part of Asean’s efforts to assess humanitarian needs and aid delivery to those affected by the earthquake.
Mr Mohamad told reporters on May 25 that he would visit Naypyitaw in an Asean capacity in June.
“We have to explore (the issue) with patience because the warring sections have been against each other for decades,” he said.
Myanmar’s junta has announced plans to hold an election around the end of 2025.
But the opposition has urged the public and political parties to boycott any poll organised by the military government.
Mr Mohamad said on May 25 there was “no point” in having an election if there was only partial participation by the people. AFP
