The coalition wants to know why the meeting took place when the prime minister himself had been critical of the junta.

PH said that the meeting raised many questions about Malaysia’s position on the junta which took over the Myanmar government following a military coup on Feb 1.

According to PH, Muhyiddin Yassin had previously called for political prisoners, including Aung San Suu Kyi, to be freed immediately.

“He also called for an emergency Asean summit to address the situation in Myanmar after the coup.

“But the meeting between ambassador Zahairi Baharim and Aung Than Oo, gives the impression that the country recognises the junta,” PKR’s Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, Amanah’s Khalid Samad and DAP’s Liew Chin Tong said in a joint statement.

“This does not help with efforts to return democracy to Myanmar. We demand the foreign minister explain the matter.”

Earlier today, a few opposition MPs questioned the meeting, saying the courtesy call sent a bad message to the rest of the region and contradicted regional and national opposition to the junta regime.

They were responding to photos of the meeting between Zahairi and Aung in Myanmar’s capital, Naypyidaw, that were being circulated on social media today.

Zahairi is said to be the first Southeast Asian envoy to have met formally with a member of the newly-installed military government.