Representatives from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and the European Union (EU) are in Brussels, Belgium, for a series of meetings and events to discuss a wide variety of pressing issues.
The main highlights at the Asean-EU Commemorative Summit, and other related events that will be held throughout this week, are the economic recovery post-Covid-19 lockdowns, and the situation in Myanmar.
The thoughts put forward by the Malaysian representatives at this outing will set the tone on how the new government views the junta rule, and if it will continue to take a tough stance against the military rulers.
“It will be the best avenue to see what Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry has to say about Myanmar, and if its stand against the military junta remains,” said Asean Parliamentarians for Human Rights chair, Charles Santiago.
Santiago enjoyed a good working relationship with Malaysia’s former foreign minister, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah, who was critical of the military coup in Myanmar that took place in February 2021.
Following Malaysia’s 15th General Election on Nov 19, a new government, led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has taken over Putrajaya. Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir replaces Saifuddin as foreign minister.
“I don’t know Zambry. We’ve never interacted. It will be good to see what he says about this,” added Santiago, who left for Brussels last week.
Malaysia is among the handful of Asean nations that had been vocal in calling for democracy to be restored in Myanmar. Saifuddin had also met with representatives from Myanmar’s National Unity Government, a move that irked the military regime.
Myanmar’s military government, however, has also received support from several neighbouring nations, and continues to strengthen ties with Russia.
It’s been close to two years since the coup, but Asean has made little progress in addressing the situation. Even the regional body’s five-point consensus was labelled a “joke”.
Vietnam’s Prime Minister, Pham Minh Chinh, left Hanoi on Dec 9 for the summit, while the Philippines’ President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. left for Brussels on Sunday night. Singapore’s Prime Minister’s Office, on Sunday, also confirmed that its premier, Lee Hsien Loong, would attend the summit.
Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister, Liew Chin Tong, posted on social media this morning, that he was flying off to Belgium, as his first task in the ministry is to represent his minister, Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, at the Asean-EU Business Summit.
Zambry is expected to lead the Malaysian delegation, but Wisma Putra has yet to release any information.
In a recorded message that was played at the Human Rights Forum 2022 held in Kuala Lumpur earlier today, Zambry spoke about Malaysia taking a constructive and pragmatic approach to improve the human rights situation at home, while working closely with partners in the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council.
He added Malaysia will strengthen its efforts to address the plight of Palestinians, and the Rohingya community.
That may serve as an indicator of how Zambry, and the Malaysian government, will treat Mynamar.
Canada is the latest to impose sanctions on Myanmar over human rights violations. Human rights organisations claim that more than 16,000 people had been arrested by the Myanmar military, and more than 13,000 of them remain in detention since the 2021 coup.
