KUALA LUMPUR – Wisma Putra has expressed hope that the appointment of Noeleen Heyzer as the United Nations secretary-general’s special envoy for Myanmar will bring about constructive engagement and a resolution to the situation there.
Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said Malaysia believes that her appointment will bring considerable expertise and impetus for constructive and meaningful engagement towards a peaceful resolution to the prevailing situation in Myanmar.
Conceding there had been “insufficient progress with regards the situation on the ground”, he reasserted Malaysia’s call for the international community to actively support efforts to end the violence and to improve the situation on the ground towards sustainable peace for the people of Myanmar.
Malaysia stands ready to support and engage constructively with the UNSG’s special envoy on Myanmar and all relevant stakeholders in resuming the political process to advance a durable and dignified resolution to the situation in the country, including hosting the special envoy in Malaysia in the near future.”
In welcoming Heyzer’s appointment, he also expressed gratitude to previous special envoy Christine Schraner Burgener.
Heyzer’s appointment was significantly announced on the eve of the Asean Summit 2021 that kicked off yesterday, presided by the chair Brunei and without representation from Myanmar.
Asean had earlier declared willingness to accept a non-political representative from Myanmar, but that was rejected by the junta, which only agreed to attend if it was represented by leader Min Aung Hlaing or a minister.
Last Friday, Burgener had warned that “Myanmar is rapidly moving towards the abyss”, adding that Heyzer “would have her work cut out for her”.
Notable name in Asia-Pacific region
Considered one of the highest-ranking Singaporeans in the UN, Heyzer has undertaken extensive missions to conflict-affected countries around the world, engaging women and a wide range of stakeholders, including civil society, youth and faith-based organisations.
She was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 for her work in improving the lives of women, and promoting peace and justice.
In its statement on Monday, the UN acknowledged Heyzer as the first woman to serve as executive secretary of its Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific between 2007 and 2014.
“Dr Heyzer focused on regional cooperation for a more resilient Asia Pacific, founded on shared prosperity, social equity and sustainable development.”
“In the period 2008-2009, she worked closely with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the government of Myanmar and the United Nations in the recovery efforts following Cyclone Nargis and led a dialogue with Myanmar’s leaders on development and poverty reduction.”
From 2013 to 2015, Heyzer was made then UN secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon’s special adviser for Timor Leste, working to support peacebuilding, state-building and sustainable development there.
“As executive director of Unifem (UN Development Fund for Women)(1994-2007), she played a critical role in the security council’s formulation and implementation of the landmark resolution 1325 (2000) on women, peace and security,” the statement added.
She also sits on the governing board of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, and is a distinguished fellow of Singapore Management University and S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.
Her recently published memoir Beyond Storms and Stars was recently published by Penguin Southeast Asia to wide acclaim.
Heyzer is the widow of prominent Malaysian rights activist Fan Yew Teng, one-time acting secretary-general of DAP, and a two-time MP for Kampar and Menglembu. He had also served as Petaling Jaya assemblyman. – The Vibes, October 27, 2021
