Meeting does not mean recognition of Myanmar junta - Wisma Putra

 

The Foreign Affairs Ministry said the meeting between ambassador Zahairi Baharim and a Myanmar junta official should not be construed as Malaysia's recognition of the latter's legitimacy.

It said Zahairi's meeting was merely to convey a Petronas subsidiary's decision to suspend the upstream operations of the Yetagun gas project temporarily.

"The meeting does not construe a recognition or otherwise of the State Administration Council," it said in a statement today.

The ministry reiterated its call for an immediate end to Myanmar's violence and the immediate and unconditional release of all political detainees.

It also urged for an inclusive dialogue towards a peaceful political resolution to the current crisis in the country.

The statement came after Malaysia came under criticism following Zahairi's meeting with Aung Than Oo yesterday, whom the junta placed in charge of the country's Electricity and Energy Ministry.

The state-owned Myanmar News Agency reported among the issues discussed at the meeting were Petronas operations in the country, including hiring more Myanmar nationals and the possibility of having them go to Malaysian universities for post-graduate courses and training.

This is after Petronas ceased operations in offshore Myanmar due to depletion of gas production at three blocks at the Yetagun field.

The company has said it remains committed to its Yetagun project and is taking measures to resume production.

Protests against the coup in Myanmar

In an immediate response, the Milk Tea Alliance Network for Malaysia said Wisma Putra’s explanation is heartening but it must remain consistent in its stance and avoid sending mixed messages.

“Any interaction that can be perceived as legitimising the coup and the killings by the junta government must be stopped at once. Failure to do so will show that you are undecided and will confuse people […]

“Your visits can be on military-sponsored TV and twisted to fit the junta’s narrative,” a spokesperson told Malaysiakini.

The group said Malaysia should start instead engage with Myanmar’s government-in-exile to legitimise them and show that Malaysia is serious about speaking to a civilian government.

Malaysia can also show solidarity with the people of Myanmar including those in Malaysia who can benefit from better protections during the coup and the Covid-19 pandemic.

In addition, the spokesperson said Malaysia should work harder with other Asean countries to seek a sustainable solution to the situation in Myanmar.

“It is important because the longer the coup goes on, the more lives will be lost and this will have an impact on every person across the region.

“That will last for decades because Myanmar is no longer an isolated country, we depend on one another,” the spokesperson said.

The junta had seized power through a coup d'état in February is violently suppressing the protests that followed.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had condemned the Myanmar military and urged it to "change course" from violence to peace. - Mkini