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THE Government has called on ASEAN to double down on efforts to revive the credibility of the Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar and ensure that peace and security remain central to the regional bloc’s priorities.
Delivering Malaysia’s national statement at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Saturday, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the ongoing violence in Myanmar and violations of the agreed ceasefire continue to endanger civilians and weaken trust in regional mechanisms.
“Those in power must remember that Myanmar is part of a region — not an isolated nation,” said Mohamad. “There is a brighter and safer future for all our people if we work in genuine partnership towards a solution that is led and owned by the people of Myanmar.”
Mohamad warned that ASEAN is “deeply dismayed” by the ceasefire breaches in various areas and reiterated that the bloc must remain actively engaged on the ground to facilitate long-term peace.
“As future ASEAN Chair in 2025, Malaysia recognises the magnitude of the task,” he said. “When conflict escalated between our neighbours, ASEAN did not remain silent. We convened both parties in Malaysia and initiated a ceasefire — a step we are ensuring ASEAN continues to anchor through active monitoring.”
He underscored that no internal or interstate conflict was worth destabilising the region: “ASEAN will stay at the negotiating table, urging both parties to honour their commitments. No conflict is worth jeopardising the stability of our shared home.”
Mohamad emphasised ASEAN’s enduring role over the past 58 years in maintaining peace, strengthening security, building economic resilience, and pursuing sustainable development — a legacy he said must not be derailed by internal divisions or external interference.
On the South China Sea, he issued a pointed reminder that Southeast Asia “must not again become a theatre of great power competition.”
“We urge all parties to fully respect UNCLOS and avoid any actions that could trigger miscalculation or conflict in these shared waters,” he said.
Malaysia, he added, would continue to play a proactive role in defending the rights and aspirations of the Global South, which he said had long borne the burden of an unequal global economic system.
“The irony is painful,” said Mohamad. “We are the majority of the world, yet we remain underrepresented in decision-making, underserved in development financing, and sidelined in global governance.”
He said the current imbalance must be corrected, calling for a global order that reflects the dignity, equality and opportunity owed to developing nations.
“A fairer international system cannot be built unless the Global South is placed at its heart,” he stressed. “Malaysia will continue to fight for justice, equity and dignity for all developing countries.”
His remarks come amid growing pressure on ASEAN to produce tangible results in its approach to the Myanmar crisis, as well as rising geopolitical tension in the South China Sea. - September 28, 2025