We, members of the Myanmar Expert Study Group, which was convened by the University of Malaya, and the Malaysian Advisory Group on Myanmar, wish to bring to urgent attention the recent news summary in the junta-run Global New Light of Myanmar on 10 October 2025 attributing quotes by Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan in his visit to Myanmar [on 9 October].
The Global New Light of Myanmar article reports that the foreign minister “was delighted to see the preparations and efforts of Myanmar to hold the multi-party democratic general election” and “vowed to send election observation teams to Myanmar”.
The article further claims that Malaysia, as Asean chair for 2025, “guaranteed that Asean will emphasise the best cooperation with Myanmar in its endeavours”.
We view this reported ‘news’ summary with concern and suspicion. The junta’s insistence on conducting elections that are neither free, fair nor inclusive to give the Myanmar governing authorities a veneer of legitimacy is a sham.
Both the Malaysian prime Minister and the foreign minister have noted on multiple occasions that elections under present conditions in Myanmar are not the best path forward and risk causing more harm than good.
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It is important to view the recent visit by Malaysia’s foreign minister to Naypyidaw in the context of Malaysia’s efforts throughout its tenure of the 2025 Asean chair, which has consistently highlighted upholding Asean’s principled and constructive stand on Myanmar:
- emphasising cessation of violence
- prioritising humanitarian assistance without discrimination
- emphasising to the junta representative that peace, not elections, is the priority
These reiterations underscore the importance of complying with the broad priorities of Asean’s five-point consensus on Myanmar, which the junta has wilfully ignored or sought to modify.
We therefore urge Wisma Putra and the foreign minister to continue to uphold the principled stand that Malaysia has taken throughout its Asean chairmanship on the implementation of the five-point consensus, and to ensure that Asean’s position is not manipulated or misrepresented by the Myanmar junta.
We note that several MPs, across party lines, have voiced similar concerns in a press conference in Parliament on 10 October 2025.
We echo the calls from these MPs on the importance of open and inclusive engagement with all parties to the conflict, and not only with the junta.
Engagements with the National Unity Government, National Unity Consultative Council, ethnic resistance organisations, and other political and civil society groups must be conducted in an open and official manner, reflective of Asean’s commitment to inclusivity and transparency.
We further call on the Malaysian government, particularly the foreign minister, to emphasise the junta’s lack of compliance with Asean’s five-point consensus on Myanmar.
The junta’s recent paramotor attack on civilians who were observing the end of Buddhist Lent in Sagaing, killing children, is another chilling illustration of using counterterrorism language to justify such acts of violence.
The fact that an election is being organised amid a civil war and widespread (mainly man-made) humanitarian suffering runs in contrast to the five-point consensus and risks making violence worse, undermining prospects for a durable and inclusive peace for the Myanmar people. – Myanmar Expert Study Group/Malaysian Advisory Group on Myanmar
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
