Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged ASEAN member countries to strengthen their collective resolve to address the prolonged Myanmar crisis.
He emphasized that the regional bloc must take action and not merely issue statements, calling for tangible change.
Speaking at the 38th Asia-Pacific Roundtable themed “Recalibrating the Frontiers of Asia” today (19th), he pointed out that Myanmar’s internal conflict remains one of the most pressing and unresolved challenges in Southeast Asia.
“The path forward is through close solidarity and collective effort to address these challenges, ensuring they do not weaken ASEAN as a united entity.”
“As the ASEAN Chair, Malaysia believes mobilizing every feasible ASEAN mechanism and collaborating with all partners to mitigate the violence and ultimately facilitate a Myanmar-led and Myanmar-owned peace process is a critical responsibility.”
Anwar noted that the recent earthquake in Myanmar serves as a stark reminder that natural disasters strike unexpectedly and will not wait for the situation to stabilize.
“This is not merely yet another humanitarian crisis; it is a moral test for everyone in our region.”
During the Q&A session, the Prime Minister stated that it would be a shame if ASEAN fails to view the Myanmar crisis as a shared responsibility.
“Of course, we welcome Europe, the United States, China, or other nations that may offer assistance. But this is first and foremost ASEAN’s responsibility. It is an urgent matter for neighboring countries.”
He added that the Myanmar crisis has also spilled over to other countries, with over 200,000 stateless Rohingya reported to have fled to Malaysia, Thailand, and Bangladesh.
“Hence, we must raise our voices and take action. Is it easy? Of course not. This is a conflict deeply rooted in decades of hostility and hatred. But there is no viable solution other than an immediate ceasefire and the resolution of our differences.”