Delivering his opening remarks at the East Asia Summit (EAS) today, Anwar said Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing had shown some willingness to engage with Asean during their meetings.

He said the junta leader had agreed to Asean’s conditions for an immediate ceasefire and cessation of bombings, as well as to allow unhindered humanitarian access to Malaysia’s field hospital in Myanmar, which serves all communities regardless of ethnicity or political affiliation.

“I commend the senior general for agreeing to these terms,” he said.

Anwar said there had been “relative progress” over the past year, although some incidents continued to occur, although not at the same scale as before.

“We may not share identical views on every issue, but I urge (our) colleagues to maintain engagement and continue humanitarian assistance,” he said.

Anwar stressed, however, that Myanmar’s affairs should be managed through its own national mechanisms while ensuring dialogue with all parties involved in the conflict.

He also reiterated Malaysia’s support for the implementation of the 5PC, which calls for an end to violence, and inclusive dialogue among all stakeholders in Myanmar following the 2021 military coup.

A civil war has engulfed Myanmar since the military seized power in 2021, jailing democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi and toppling her civilian government.

In April that year, Asean leaders adopted the 5PC at an emergency summit, calling for an immediate cessation of violence, constructive dialogue among all parties to restore peace and stability, and the facilitation of humanitarian aid to the Myanmar people.