Malaysia has never recognized Myanmar's new government, says Foreign Minister

Malaysia has firmly stated that it has never recognized the new administration in Myanmar, which emerged following elections organized by the military junta. This stance was reiterated by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan in the Dewan Rakyat.

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Malaysia has never recognized the new Myanmar government formed following the phased elections organized by the military junta since December last year.

Mohamad Hasan clarified that his previous visit to Myanmar was not an act of recognition. Instead, the purpose was to ensure that communication channels remained open and to continue efforts initiated when Malaysia held the ASEAN chairmanship. He stressed that Malaysia's engagement with Myanmar, even informally, is crucial for ASEAN to maintain its primary role in assisting the country and to prevent external powers from interfering.

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My visit to Myanmar before was not meant as recognition, but rather to ensure communication channels remained open and to continue the efforts initiated when Malaysia held the ASEAN chairmanship.

The minister emphasized that Malaysia will not recognize the current Myanmar government as long as the elections do not meet the principles of inclusivity, lasting peace, and the release of political prisoners. These conditions are part of the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus, a roadmap aimed at resolving the crisis in Myanmar.

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There is no issue of Malaysia recognizing the Myanmar government as long as the elections held do not meet the principles of inclusivity, lasting peace, the release of political prisoners, and the resolution of the refugee issue as outlined in the Five-Point Consensus.

"Many external powers have begun to interfere, and this will complicate ASEAN's role if it is allowed to happen," Mohamad Hasan warned. He was responding to a question from William Leong Jee Keen (PH-Selayang) regarding Malaysia's foreign policy towards the Myanmar government and the progress of the Five-Point Consensus implementation.

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Engagement with Myanmar, even informally, is important to ensure ASEAN does not lose its primary role in assisting the country, as well as to prevent interference from external powers.