Myanmar’s military junta has condemned Malaysia for suggesting that Asean engages with the National Unity Government (NUG) elected by the people of Myanmar before the coup.
In a statement, Myanmar's Foreign Ministry protested the proposal brought by Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah and described his remark as "irresponsible and reckless".
"Such remarks could abet terrorism and violence in the country, hampering the Myanmar government’s anti-terrorism efforts and infringe international agreements related to combatting terrorism,” said Myanmar's Foreign Ministry as quoted by Al Jazeera.
The generals who seized power from the elected government had declared the NUG and any groups associated with it "unlawful associations" and "terrorist groups", acknowledged Myanmar's ministry.
On May 1, Saifuddin said that Malaysia will propose for Asean to establish an informal engagement with the NUG.
The proposal was made as there has been no progress for the past year on the implementation of the Asean Five-Point Consensus to find a solution to the political stalemate in the country, added Saifuddin.
It is one of three proposals that Malaysia will bring to the Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting on May 5 which will be held via video conference, with the other two being to double humanitarian aid for Myanmar, and strengthen the position and function of the Asean special envoy to Myanmar.
Saifuddin also said some Asean members had reservations about Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen's Jan 7 visit to Myanmar while chair of the bloc, which risked being interpreted as Asean recognition of the generals.
Saifuddin suggested Hun Sen should have sought input from Asean counterparts beforehand.
His remark courted flak as Hun chided him for being "arrogant" and impolite.
The military's overthrow of an elected government in Myanmar last year has been a major setback for Asean as it seeks to boost its international profile as a diverse, integrated and effective economic and political bloc.
But fissures have emerged within Asean over how best to deal with Myanmar.
When Brunei was chair of the association, Asean made a surprise move late last year to bar the junta from joining important meetings over its failure to implement an agreed five-point Asean "consensus" on ending the post-coup conflict in Myanmar. - Mkini
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