Malaysia foreign minister heads to Myanmar for talks with junta on election, peace plan
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Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan will make a one-day visit to Myanmar capital Naypyitaw in Malaysia's capacity as chair Asean.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan will visit Myanmar on Oct 9 for talks with the ruling junta on its upcoming election and push for progress on a stalled peace process, the Malaysian government said.
He will make a one-day visit to the capital Naypyitaw in Malaysia’s capacity as chair of Asean and will meet junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Myanmar’s military leaders have been barred from Asean meetings
Myanmar, locked in a civil war between the military and rebel forces, will have a first voting round in a general election starting on Dec 28, a ballot widely seen by the junta’s critics as a sham to allow the generals to stay in power via proxies.
Only a few parties are contesting the election on a national level, and opposition groups have either been barred from running or have refused to take part.
Datuk Seri Mohamad said in July that Asean did not regard the election as a priority, calling on Myanmar to adhere to its peace commitments instead.
The Foreign Ministry said Mr Mohamad will call on the junta to implement the peace plan, “specifically on cessation of hostilities, allowing unhindered humanitarian access and holding inclusive dialogue with Myanmar stakeholders”.
Myanmar has been roiled by violence since a 2021 coup that unseated an elected civilian government,
In a separate Facebook post on Oct 9, Mr Mohamad said recent ceasefire violations were undermining the peace plan efforts, without specifying details.
On Oct 8, at least 20 people were killed in an attack by the junta during a gathering in the central region of Sagaing, according to eyewitnesses, rights groups and others. REUTERS
