MANILA – Malaysia and the Philippines should look into other ways to seek the Myanmar junta’s cooperation in resolving the humanitarian crisis affecting the region, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
After a meeting with Philippines President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. today, Anwar said he raised the matter with his counterpart, calling it a “contentious” and unresolved situation that is spilling over to Asean nations.
Noting that it was not merely a domestic issue in Myanmar, Anwar also pointed to the presence of hundreds of thousands of refugees from the country currently residing in Malaysia.
“I did express my concern about the contentious, unresolved issue in Myanmar affecting Malaysia adversely due to the huge number of refugees exceeding 200,000 people now in Malaysia,” Anwar said during a joint press conference with Marcos Jr. at the latter’s official residence in Malacanang Palace here this evening.
“The president, in his wisdom, reiterated the need for the five-point consensus, but I would certainly suggest exploring new areas on how the Myanmar junta can be persuaded to work and collaborate as a team within Asean, and resolve the outstanding issue, which cannot be considered as purely internal because it is affecting the security and welfare of the region.”
Anwar is currently on a two-day official visit to the Philippines, and is accompanied by his wife Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
During his official visit to Thailand last month, Anwar said Asean should suspend Myanmar as a member state for the time being, saying that the conflict and atrocities against ethnic minorities in Myanmar, such as the Rohingya, have impacted Asean member states.
On the morning of February 1, 2021, Myanmar’s military performed a coup against the democratically elected ruling party the National League for Democracy and deposed its state councillor Aung San Suu Kyi.
Due to the unrest and conflict, more Rohingyans and other persecuted ethnicities fled the nation into neighbouring countries such as Thailand, Bangladesh, and Malaysia.
Prior to Anwar's media address in Malacanang, Marcos Jr. said both countries have resolved to support development and peace-building initiatives within Asean, including the importance of achieving a resolution to the situation in Myanmar.
He also praised Malaysia for its involvement in achieving peace in the southern Philippines.
“We commend the progress made towards achieving sustainable and inclusive peace in Mindanao. It is a combination of years and effort and sincerity among all parties which will soon realise the dividends of peace,” Marcos Jr. said.
“We recognise the great contribution that Malaysia has played to the peace process in the southern Philippines, and we hope that this support shown over the past few years will continue to contribute to the success of the peace process, and the establishment of the Bangsa Moro autonomous region.”
Marcos Jr. said he had also invited Malaysia to continue supporting the Philippines government’s efforts to bring development and enhancement to the livelihoods of Mindanaoans.
The president also expressed gratitude to Anwar for being the first head of government in the world to hold an official visit to the Philippines since he took office in June.
Meanwhile, Marcos Jr. said both countries have agreed to reinvigorate investment exchanges, with a special focus on the halal industry, agriculture, and food security, as well as the digital economy.
“We also spoke of further deepening our people-to-people ties, continued cultural exchanges, and tourism.” – The Vibes, March 1, 2023
