Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan stated that Malaysia, as the rotating ASEAN chair next year, will jointly study with other member countries the effectiveness of the 'Five-Point Consensus' (5PC) in resolving the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar.
He said the aim is to ensure more effective implementation and to overcome past failures.
“Myanmar has its own roadmap, and we also want to hear their roadmap. If there is consensus, why not coordinate with our views? However, currently, the ASEAN leaders are still following the Five-Point Consensus.
“Therefore, we do not want any country or specific party to implement measures beyond the Five-Point Consensus through other mechanisms. So, we will make every effort to first study how to apply the Five-Point Consensus in Myanmar.”
He stated this last night at the media briefing for Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship in 2025.
Attendees included Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Datuk Seri Amran, and Director of the ASEAN-Malaysia National Secretariat Datuk Zanariah.
Other attendees included Bernama Chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, Bernama Chief Executive Officer Datin Paduka Nurul Afida and Editor-in-Chief Arul Raj, as well as media representatives.
Mohamad Hasan also mentioned that ASEAN needs to unite in addressing security issues in the region, including the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar and the South China Sea issue.
“We must use ASEAN mechanisms to avoid divisions among member countries.”
On the other hand, he mentioned that former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been appointed as an informal advisor to assist Malaysia as the ASEAN chair, a move that can be seen as a bridge to strengthen cooperation between ASEAN and major global powers.
He stated that Thaksin has considerable influence in Thailand and is well-recognized by the United States, while maintaining close relations with China.
“Although Thaksin’s advisory role is informal, he wields great influence in Thailand and is not only accepted by the United States but also maintains close relations with China. Therefore, he can serve as an important bridge for ASEAN.
“Figures like Thaksin, and some others, are not part of the formal organization but are old friends and acquaintances of the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri) Anwar. The Prime Minister can discuss and listen to their suggestions on the future developments of ASEAN.”
The suggestion to appoint Thaksin as an informal advisor was put forward by Malaysia and agreed upon by Thailand. Anwar announced this at a joint press conference with Thai Prime Minister Prayuth in Putrajaya yesterday.
Mohamad Hasan added that other individuals in similar roles will be announced later.
“This is not an advisor to the ASEAN chairman but an advisor to the Prime Minister holding the ASEAN chair. This is not a formal advisor within the ASEAN framework, nor is it a formal organization or newly established division of ASEAN.”