KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will continue to engage Asean member countries to find a solution to Myanmar's political crisis, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir.
He said this was because the solution required the agreement of all Asean members as the issue was related to the bloc.
"In this context (Myanmar conflict), we understand that the issue is very complicated and there's a possibility of other powers intervening.
"It will create a 'flashpoint' in the area and make Southeast Asia unsafe," he said during the ministers' question time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
He was replying to a supplementary question from Jimmy Puah Wee Tse (Pakatan Harapan-Tebrau), who asked whether Malaysia and other Asean countries were prepared to impose economic sanctions on Myanmar to put pressure on the country to restore democracy.
Zambry reiterated Malaysia's stand not to recognise junta rule in Myanmar following the military coup in the country on Feb 1, 2021.
"Malaysia is very concerned about the prolonged political and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar.
"The implementation of the Asean Five-Point Consensus (5PC) has not yet reached a satisfactory level, but Malaysia is continuing efforts to help Myanmar achieve a solution to the conflict," he said.
5PC calls for an immediate end to violence in Myanmar, a dialogue among all parties, the appointment of a special envoy, humanitarian assistance by Asean, and the special envoy's visit to Myanmar to meet with all parties (involved in the conflict).
Zambry said the Malaysian embassy in Myanmar continued to operate and inform about developments in the country.
"Although the current situation is quite difficult, we still maintain our embassy there through a charge d'affaires to ensure that the discussion and engagement (with Asean member countries) can continue.
"In fact, Myanmar is still one of Asean members. Like it or not, what happens there will have an impact on our country," he said in response to another supplementary question from Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (Perikatan Nasional-Pasir Mas), who wanted to know the impact of bilateral relations between Malaysia and Myanmar in the long-term following Malaysia's stance of not recognising Myanmar's junta rule.
Feb 1 this year marked two years since the military led by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing took control of Myanmar. Since then, Myanmar has been in turmoil.
Myanmar has extended its state of emergency by another six months and postponed elections due to be held in August as the junta battles anti-coup fighters across the country. – BERNAMA
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