Anwar meets Myanmar Junta in diplomatic push

[MALAYSIA] Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he had "frank" conversations with Myanmar's junta boss Min Aung Hlaing, as the leader of a loathed military strives to break free from the diplomatic deadlock. Myanmar has been barred from attending important Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) meetings since October 2021, after the junta rejected a so-called five-point plan agreed upon with the organization to quell bloodshed in the aftermath of a coup months earlier.

Over the last few weeks, Min Aung Hlaing, whose military no longer controls most of a country engulfed in civil strife, has been accused of enabling air strikes and blocking help in the aftermath of the deadly Sagaing earthquake, which has killed over 3,600 people.

The 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar and its neighboring regions, affecting more than 17 million people and exacerbating the nation's ongoing civil conflict since the 2021 military coup. In response, ASEAN, under Malaysia's chairmanship, has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and unhindered humanitarian access. However, despite a ceasefire declared on April 2, reports indicate continued military activity by the junta in some regions, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the ceasefire. ​

The meeting, held in Bangkok, also included Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Prime Minister Anwar described the discussions as "frank and constructive," focusing on the deployment of a Malaysian field hospital and the restoration of normalcy in Myanmar. He welcomed the recent amnesty granted to thousands of prisoners by Myanmar’s government, viewing it as a meaningful gesture. ​

ASEAN's Position and Malaysia's Role

ASEAN has largely excluded Myanmar's military leaders from its meetings due to non-compliance with the five-point peace plan established in 2021. Despite this, Malaysia, as the current ASEAN chair, has emphasized the importance of engaging with all parties to facilitate humanitarian aid and support dialogue. Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan reiterated that ASEAN's priority is peace, not elections, urging the junta to initiate dialogue and end hostilities immediately. ​

International Reactions and Criticisms

The meeting has drawn criticism from anti-junta groups, including Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government (NUG) and the Karen National Union, who argue that engaging with Min Aung Hlaing risks legitimizing the military regime. These groups contend that such unilateral engagement contradicts ASEAN's previous stance and undermines the five-point consensus peace initiative. ​

Prime Minister Anwar's engagement with Myanmar's military leader highlights Malaysia's nuanced approach to diplomacy in the face of a complex humanitarian crisis. While striving to provide immediate relief to those affected by the earthquake, Malaysia also seeks to balance its commitments to ASEAN's peace initiatives and the broader international community's expectations.