Mizzima-Apr 16
Tomorrow’s meeting between Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC), Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, in Bangkok will mark the first time that the chair of the ASEAN Standing Committee meets with the Myanmar junta chief after years of keeping him at a distance. “The meeting comes at a time of uncertainty and at the same time provide opportunities for Myanmar stakeholders to work and converge on the common objective on humanitarian support for the quake victims. Thailand and Malaysia will work closer on this and both would like to see progress on the ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus,” said Kavi Chongkitavorn, a veteran journalist and an expert on ASEAN affairs. Anwar insists that he is not abandoning ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus as the basis for regional grouping’s engagement with Myanmar but maintains that the meeting is being held purely on humanitarian grounds. He will be looking to advance the ceasefire between rebel forces and SAC troops. “With just one phone call, he (Min Aung Hlaing) agreed to meet in Bangkok, despite April 17 being a major religious holiday in Myanmar. This reflects both respect for Malaysia and their willingness to engage in dialogue,” Anwar said. Instead of thanking Min Aung Hlaing, it makes more sense that the Myanmar junta chief thanks Anwar for the invitation. If nothing concrete comes out of the meeting, Min Aung Hlaing can always say that he did not hesitate to engage with regional leaders to address Myanmar’s humanitarian crisis. Indeed, one cannot overlook the political underpinnings of tomorrow’s meeting in Bangkok. It is not clear if Thaksin Shinawatra and his daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn, will join the meeting. Thaksin was appointed advisor to Anwar. Read more at: https://eng.mizzima.com/2025/04/16/21353
