Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan has advocated for the extension and broadening of the ceasefire in Myanmar amidst ongoing challenges following a major earthquake. This call was made during a recent meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Kuala Lumpur.
The ceasefire, initially declared in response to a 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar in March 2025, has encountered difficulties in maintaining peace amid the country’s ongoing civil conflict. The quake resulted in significant devastation, with over 3,300 fatalities, 4,500 injuries, and at least 220 individuals missing.
ASEAN has experienced challenges in mediating the civil war, which began with a military coup in February 2021. The conflict continues despite the introduction of ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus, a peace plan that has seen limited success. This stagnation in progress has led to ASEAN excluding Myanmar’s military leaders from its consultations.
In his efforts to foster dialogue, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has reportedly engaged in separate discussions with Myanmar’s ruling junta as well as the shadow National Unity Government (NUG). Yet, the possibility of direct negotiations remains fraught due to the NUG’s stipulations, which include calls for a democratic federal union and the military’s withdrawal from political life, issues that remain contentious.
The ceasefire’s previous extensions have been marred by ongoing military activities in the region, including reported airstrikes by the junta, notably a deadly mid-May incident in Sagaing, which claimed the lives of 22 individuals, most of them children. The United Nations has voiced concerns over continuous military operations, urging Myanmar to cease actions obstructing humanitarian aid.
Meanwhile, the regional ramifications of the conflict continue to be felt, including surges in refugee movements and an uptick in transnational crimes. The military government’s intention to hold elections later this year has sparked further concern among ASEAN leaders, who have emphasized peace as a priority over the electoral process.
Following the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat, Minister Hasan reiterated the critical need to halt the violence in Myanmar. In a bid to enhance peacekeeping efforts and mitigate the humanitarian crisis, ASEAN has appointed Tan Sri Othman Hashim as the Special Envoy for Myanmar in 2025.
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