CNI News

30 May 2025

There are reviews among military and political analysts about whether Malaysia, the rotating chair of ASEAN, can push Myanmar's political landscape forward more than other rotating ASEAN countries.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamed Hassan said after a private meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers regsrding Myanmar on May 25 that Malaysia is aware of the views of relevant opposition groups involved in the Myanmar political crisis.

He said that the SAC will be informed of the intentions of the relevant stakeholders and will monitor the SAC's response.

Compared to previous ASEAN rotating chair countries, Malaysia is more visible and assertive, so they expect something reliable for Myanmar's political problem lasting more than four years, 7 EAO Alliance spokesperson Colonel Saw Kyaw Nyunt told CNI News.

“Malaysia’s efforts to create a dialogue platform that includes all stakeholders have become more assertive compared to previous rotating delegations. The efforts have become more visible. I hope that from there, we can start to see a platform where we can engage in dialogue." he said.

ASEAN Special Envoy, Malaysian Foreign Minister

Malaysia has met with armed groups and revolutionary forces including the NCA signatories, KNU, KNPP, CNF, and ABSDF on the Myanmar side ahead of the ASEAN meetings in Kuala Lumpur. 

In addition, the Malaysian Prime Minister said in his opening speech that some progress had been made on the Myanmar issue on the first day of the ASEAN Leaders' Summit, which began on May 26. No details were given on what progress had been made.

Myanmar political analyst Dr. Aung Myo told CNI that Malaysia, the rotating chair of ASEAN, will continue to carry out its duties, but it will not be effective, and that listening to some information that will be given by Malaysia will not be convenient based on the SAC chairman's opinion alone.

“Malaysia will continue to engage. It won’t be very effective. The SAC won’t listen either. It can’t be the military leader alone who will listen. There are many political backgrounds that are influencing him. There are parties. There is public opinion. There is the public’s attitude. These will be taken into consideration a lot, so it seems that these will only be effective after the election, when the people's government comes into power." he said.

The Malaysian Foreign Minister has also urged the extension of the ceasefire in Myanmar. 

In addition, at the two-day ASEAN summit, Malaysia said that the SAC would have to adhere to the five point consent the SAC had agreed upon and the summit issued a statement calling for stopping armed conflicts in Myanmar.