KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia—The Philippines and Malaysia discussed the possibility of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) allowing member countries to engage informally with the Myanmar junta “without sacrificing human rights.”
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim disclosed that he and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. shared the same thoughts on the situation in Myanmar during their bilateral meeting on Wednesday, July 26.
“We did touch upon Myanmar to strengthen the five-point consensus of ASEAN, but also give some flexibility, room and space for neighboring countries to engage on informal basis without sacrificing the issues of human rights and the treatment of minorities in particularly Rohingyas and other Burmese middle minorities in Myanmar,” Anwar said.
Although Marcos made no mention of the matter in his statement during the joint presser, he pointed out the importance of ASEAN centrality amid issues in the region.
“Recognizing the importance of ASEAN centrality, we reaffirmed our commitment to support our activities within the context of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA),” the President said.
He further said that they agreed to explore not only along multilateral lines but also promoting bilateral relationships between Malaysia and the Philippines and other partners in ASEAN.
“And I think that this is an important aspect – this will be an important aspect to all the issues that ASEAN is presently facing and to all the issues that the member states are presently worrying about,” he stressed.
In May, Marcos said the ASEAN leaders have reached a consensus during the 42nd ASEAN summit to do the ongoing political negotiations with Myanmar in “another way.”
“There are many members who have experience in this long ongoing political negotiations and the advice is to engage everyone equally and that is what we intend to do,” the Chief Executive then said. (MB)
