ASEAN Special Envoy to Myanmar should engage NUG, NUCC - Saifuddin

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah reiterated Malaysia's stand that the ASEAN Chair's Special Envoy to Myanmar should engage all stakeholders, including representatives from Myanmar's National Unity Government (NUG) and the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC).

He made the call at the ASEAN Foreign Minister's Informal Meeting on Thursday in Washington D.C., held ahead of the ASEAN-US Summit on May 12 and 13.

In a posting on his official Facebook page Thursday, Saifuddin said he also highlighted Malaysia's full support to the Special Envoy, Prak Sokhonn, who is also Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, in fulfilling his mandate on the Five-Point Consensus (5PCs).

The 5PCs on Myanmar adopted by ASEAN leaders at the ASEAN Leaders Meeting in Jakarta on April 24, last year are: end violence; hold constructive discussions with stakeholders; ASEAN provides humanitarian aid to Myanmar; the appointment of a special ASEAN ambassador to carry out negotiations; and for the special envoy to be allowed to visit the country.

Saifuddin also expressed his regret over Myanmar's military State Administration Council (SAC)'s move to not allow the United Nations Secretary General's Special Envoy on Myanmar, Dr Noeleen Heyzer, to participate in the processes.

"We should not allow the SAC in dictating who to be invited for related meetings," he added.

Saifuddin pointed out that humanitarian efforts for the people of Myanmar should include international organisation such as the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) with contributions from ASEAN member states.

According to human rights organisation the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma), at least 1,800 civilians had been killed while over 10,000 people have been arrested and almost 1,000 jailed since the Feb 1, 2021 coup.

-- BERNAMA