Zambry unable to attend informal discussion on Myanmar in Thailand

Foreign Minister Zambry Abd Kadir will not be able to attend an informal discussion on Myanmar in Thailand on Monday.

In a statement, the foreign ministry (Wisma Putra) cited prior commitment, the reason behind Zambry’s inability to attend the discussion proposed by Thailand.

“The ministry further recalls the decision of the recent 42nd Asean Summit in Labuan Bajo which reiterated that the five-point consensus remained Aseans valid reference and mandate in addressing the Myanmar issue,” it added.

In this regard, the statement said Malaysia supports the Asean chair's efforts, particularly the special envoy's office.

“It is important that Asean demonstrates its unity in support of the Asean chair and Asean processes which are in line with the mandate and decisions made by the Asean leaders,” it added.

Myanmar-focused news website The Irrawaddy had reported earlier that Thailand’s Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, in a letter, had proposed to host an informal ministerial meeting with Myanmar from June 18 to 19.

The meeting is part of “the unequivocal statement by a member nation of Asean” during the leader’s summit in Indonesia in May that it was time for the bloc to fully “re-engage Myanmar at the leaders’ level, the letter said.

Since the military coup, more than 3,600 civilians have been killed, over 19,000 arrested, and more than 1.8 million were internally displaced or have fled the country, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).

- Bernama