AS foreign minister (twice before), and under previous Malaysian governments (from the Myanmar coup to the tenure of the ninth prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob), Malaysia was consistent in not recognising the junta, both in bilateral and multilateral relations. Asean did not invite the junta leader and ministers to its ministerial meetings and summits.
I have said since my time as foreign minister, and maintained, that Malaysia and Asean should engage the National Unity Government of Myanmar (NUG), National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) and the people’s stakeholders. As foreign minister, I have met the NUG foreign minister and NUCC chairman a few times. I also recently met with the foreign minister.
I have called on Malaysia, as Asean chair, to engage the NUG, NUCC and the people’s stakeholders.
Today, the junta is only in control of about 30% of the country. The junta is losing.
We should not allow the junta to use the recent earthquake to normalise its international relations. Already, they have weaponised the assistance sent there.
Hence, the Asean chair meeting the junta general is a step in the wrong direction, especially when nothing thus far is mentioned about engaging the NUG, NUCC and the people’s stakeholders. – April 17, 2025
Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah is Indera Mahkota MP and former two-time foreign minister