Malaysia to lead ASEAN delegation to war-torn Myanmar
Asia
By
AFP
| Aug 08, 2025
Malaysia will lead a regional delegation to Myanmar next month after the junta scrapped its state of emergency, Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan announced on Friday.
Mohamad told reporters the trip will "most likely" take place on September 19 and include the foreign ministers of Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines.
"I want to get a clear picture for me to bring to the attention of the ASEAN leadership in October," he said, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' year-end summit.
Malaysia currently chairs the bloc, which has tried to increase pressure on member state Myanmar's junta, including by barring its leaders from summits, over the ongoing bloodshed.
But the ASEAN has so far been fruitless in its diplomatic efforts to end Myanmar's conflict, triggered by the junta's ousting of elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, sparking a many-sided civil war.
READ MORE
Pact paves way for resumption of tea exports to Iran
State now abandons plans for Sh468b Nairobi-Mombasa expressway
How Sh360.5m was siphoned from Afya Sacco
Will AfCFTA survive beyond heavy US tariffs?
Pact paves way for Iran tea exports
Safaricom commits Sh15 million for devolution conference
Central Bank lowers key rate to 9.5pc
Mbadi defends plan to privatise Kenya Pipeline Company
Domestic tourism drives new growth in Kenya's hospitality sector
Last week, military chief Min Aung Hlaing ended the nationwide state of emergency declared during the coup and touted plans for an election in December.
Opposition groups said they will boycott the vote, while a UN expert has branded the exercise a "fraud" designed to legitimise the junta's continued rule.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad said the ASEAN delegation will look into the coming polls.
"I want to discuss with them whether their elections will be comprehensive," he said.
Mohamad pointed out that "there are still 63 cities or areas currently still under a state of emergency".
Most of them are conflict zones or areas under the control of anti-junta groups.
No exact date has yet been set for the election.