Diplomatic dialogue is resuming after a lengthy thaw, following the election of former armed forces chief Min Aung Hlaing as president on April 10 – a development that is prompting diplomats to rethink re-engagement with the Southeast Asian nation.
During a one-day working visit on Tuesday to Nay Pyi Taw, foreign minister Mohamad Hasan held talks with his counterpart, U Tin Maung Swe, on a broad range of issues.
“The two foreign ministers cordially discussed matters relating to the enhancement of relations between Myanmar and Malaysia at the bilateral level and in the context of Asean.
“They exchanged views on the promotion of existing cooperation in areas of mutual interests,” Myanmar’s foreign affairs ministry said on its Facebook page yesterday.
Mohamad’s visit came shortly after the 48th Asean Summit in Cebu, Philippines, on May 8, where several member states struggled to reach a consensus on the status of Myanmar’s newly elected government.
Since the coup in February 2021, which ousted the elected civilian government, Asean has not recognised the military-led administration in Nay Pyi Taw and has distanced itself diplomatically.
Observers say the revitalising of Malaysia-Myanmar bilateral relations signals a political shift that could redraw regional diplomacy in Southeast Asia and pave the way for Myanmar’s return into Asean’s fold after prolonged political turmoil, armed conflict within the country, and international scrutiny.
“Asean must bridge the gap because in Cebu, there were different views on post-election Myanmar. Mohamad’s visit shows Malaysia has now recognised the election outcome, and it is a good move.
“Some other countries have yet to recognise (the Myanmar elections). A recalibrated engagement with Myanmar is now needed,” Bangkok-based geopolitical analyst Kavi Chongkittavorn told Bernama.
He also said that Asean should pave the way for an informal meeting with Myanmar leaders following the national elections to bring an amicable reconciliation to the long-standing crisis.
Last year, Malaysia, as Asean chair, worked to bring an end to the Asean-Myanmar political stalemate and stop the armed civil war raging in parts of the country.
The move was to allow critical international humanitarian assistance into the country afflicted by the civil conflict and a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck on March 28 last year.
According to the United Nations, about 3.3 million people have been displaced due to the ongoing crisis while about 5,000 have lost their lives since the coup.