FIVE-POINT CONSENSUS REMAINS ASEAN'S MAIN GUIDE IN HANDLING MYANMAR ISSUE - FM MOHAMAD

From Linda Khoo

CEBU (Philippines), Jan 29 (Bernama) -- The Five-Point Consensus (5PC) remains ASEAN's main guide in handling the Myanmar issue, and the regional grouping has renewed calls for an end to violence and for humanitarian assistance to reach those in need.

Malaysia's Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the matter was affirmed during an Informal Consultation on the Implementation of the 5PC and Extended Informal Consultation of the 5PC that discussed the situation in Myanmar on Wednesday.

“We jointly made the affirmation (yesterday) that Myanmar needs to end brutality towards its people. That is the priority of the 5PC.

“Additionally, we insisted that all humanitarian assistance reaches the places and parties that need them,” he told Bernama.

Philippines' Foreign Secretary Ma Theresa P Lazaro chaired the consultation meetings on Wednesday through the Troika ASEAN mechanism. Malaysia, the previous ASEAN chair, the Philippines (2026 chair), and Singapore (the next chair) held a discussion prior to meeting with other member states.

The consultation meeting was held in conjunction with the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat (AMM) under the Philippines, ASEAN 2026 Chairmanship 2026.

The crisis in Myanmar has remained the key focus of ASEAN discussions since the February 2021 military coup that ousted the democratically elected government and triggered unrest and violence.

The 5PC that was adopted in April 2021 calls for the cessation of violence, inclusive dialogue among all parties, the appointment of an ASEAN special envoy to to facilitate mediation, humanitarian assistance, and for the special envoy to engage all stakeholders in the Myanmar crisis.

On the matter of the Myanmar elections, Mohamad said ASEAN member states would also continue to closely monitor developments following the recently held elections.

“We are of the position that the elections were those that were held in Myanmar.

“Malaysia would never interfere with the affairs of other countries, especially elections in other countries. Therefore, we (Malaysia) do not make any judgment regarding the elections that were held. Those were the elections they held, it was up to them,” he said.

Mohamad said he had suggested for the ASEAN foreign ministers to issue a joint statement about the elections in Myanmar.

The Myanmar general elections were held in three phases. The first phase was held on December 28, 2025 in 102 townships, the second on January 11, 2026 in 100 townships, and the third on January 25, 2026 in 63 townships in their respective provinces and states.

Meanwhile, Mohamad said ASEAN member states have agreed for the Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair to Myanmar to continue.

“The special envoy will act as a bridge between ASEAN and the state of Myanmar,” he said.

Lazaro in her role as special envoy began building early momentum this year by undertaking a visit to Naypyidaw and convening one round of stakeholder consultation.

-- BERNAMA