Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan will press Myanmar’s military leadership for details on its planned national election when he leads a four-nation ASEAN delegation to the conflict-ridden country next month, Malaysian state media reported Friday.
The visit, scheduled for September 19, will include foreign ministers from Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Mohamad told state news agency Bernama that he hopes to gain “a clearer picture” of the polls to brief ASEAN leaders at their October summit. He emphasized the need to determine whether the elections will be “comprehensive,” given Myanmar’s volatile political and security climate.
Myanmar has remained in turmoil since a February 2021 military coup toppled an elected civilian government, sparking a nationwide armed resistance. Last week, the junta lifted a long-standing state of emergency and nominally handed power to a civilian-led administration ahead of elections. However, junta chief Min Aung Hlaing retained control as acting president.
State media in Myanmar has indicated voting will take place in December and January, but martial law and emergency measures will remain in effect in more than 60 townships across nine regions and states.
ASEAN, currently chaired by Malaysia, has long urged Myanmar to implement its agreed “five-point consensus” peace plan rather than push ahead with elections. Mohamad reiterated last month that the polls are “not a priority” for the bloc.
Western governments have dismissed the planned election as a façade to cement military control, noting that opposition parties remain banned or are boycotting the process. Myanmar’s generals have been excluded from ASEAN’s high-level meetings since 2022 over their failure to honor the peace roadmap.
Written By Rodney Mbua
