I welcome the meeting held between the Asean chairman and the National Unity Government of Myanmar (NUG) prime minister in Bangkok recently. This is the first time an Asean chair met with the NUG PM, and is in line with the call made by many of us, ie, for Asean to engage NUG.
However, I wish this meeting had been conducted in person rather than online. The Asean chairman met the junta leader in person. For me, the meeting with the NUG leader must be given the protocol that is on par with the junta leader, not less. This is because the NUG is the democratically elected government of Myanmar.
Perhaps that meeting was held online due to security and logistical reasons. If this is true, then the meeting could have been held elsewhere. It is very important that Asean gives the NUG due recognition with fairness and empathy, starting from the first engagement.
The ceasefire and humanitarian assistance arrangements agreed by the junta and the NUG, as negotiated by the Asean chairman, so far, must be implemented properly. To ensure this is carried out according to what was agreed, Asean should place independent observers.
I hope, later, the Asean chairman will also meet with the NUCC Chairman.
I also hope that Asean will begin discussing with the NUG, NUCC and the peoples’ stakeholders on the end game of the people-led struggle to bring back democracy. Asean must understand the true wishes of the people of Myanmar.
May I also thank Special Envoy Tan Sri Othman Hashim, Malaysian Foreign Affairs Ministry’s officers and activists who were working behind closed doors in making this important first meeting a reality. – April 20, 2025
Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah is Indera Mahkota MP and former foreign affairs minister