KUALA LUMPUR – The special Asean Leaders’ Meeting in Jakarta this Saturday is significant as it will determine the possible reconciliation between Myanmar’s military (Tatmadaw) and the civilian government, said former foreign minister Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar.
The meeting will also help chart the road map for the restoration of democracy in the country after the military coup on February 1, he said.
He congratulated Malaysia and Indonesia for taking the the lead in reconciliation efforts to end the political crisis in Myanmar.
Through the meeting, it is hoped that Asean and Tatmadaw will be able to create a humanitarian pause and start humanitarian works initiated by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and international NGOs in Myanmar.
“The special meeting is important as this is the first time Asean is having discussions on an internal conflict within an Asean member state, and it is a key step forward,” said Syed Hamid, who is also former Organisation of Islamic Cooperation special envoy to Myanmar, when contacted by Bernama. – Bernama, April 21, 2021
