Malaysia Presses Myanmar Junta to Honor ASEAN Peace Plan and Hold Inclusive Elections

Malaysia’s foreign minister has urged Myanmar’s military authorities to respect ASEAN’s long-stalled peace plan and ensure that upcoming elections are transparent and open to all citizens.

Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan speaks in Kuala Lumpur following an ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting ahead of the bloc’s leaders’ summit. Photo: @theSundaily


October 25, 2025 Hour: 3:36 am

Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan called on Myanmar’s military government on Friday to fulfill its commitments under ASEAN’s “Five-Point Consensus” and allow humanitarian aid to reach civilians, saying the peace framework “is not too difficult” to implement despite the junta’s continued resistance.

RELATED:

Trade Tensions and Regional Conflicts Dominate ASEAN Summit in Malaysia

Speaking after a meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers in Kuala Lumpur, Mohamad emphasized that the regional bloc remains committed to resolving Myanmar’s conflict through dialogue. The peace plan, agreed in 2021 between ASEAN and the head of Myanmar’s military shortly after the coup, calls for an immediate end to violence, inclusive political talks, and unhindered humanitarian access.

“The Five-Point Consensus is not too difficult (to implement). It would be good to have a dialogue, to allow aid to reach people and go back to dialogue with all parties,” Mohamad told reporters ahead of an ASEAN leaders’ summit scheduled for this weekend.

The plan has largely failed to take effect. Myanmar’s military rulers have refused to engage with opposition groups—many of whom they classify as “terrorists”—and continue military operations across the country. Western governments have accused the junta of widespread abuses against civilians, allegations it denies while insisting it remains “committed to peace.”

Mohamad also said ASEAN cannot prevent the general election the junta plans to begin in December, but stressed that the regional bloc expects the process to be credible and inclusive.

“We cannot stop it but we want the elections to be fair, transparent, and inclusive,” he said. “All the people must participate. We don’t want elections where only some of the people of Myanmar can participate but the rest can’t. We will discuss that and bring it to the heads of states’ summit the day after tomorrow.”

The military administration has announced that the elections will be conducted in several phases and will not cover areas still affected by conflict. Most opposition parties have been dissolved, barred from competing, or have chosen to boycott the polls, which critics describe as an attempt to consolidate military power through proxy candidates.

Malaysia’s renewed call adds pressure on ASEAN to take a firmer stance toward the junta, as frustration grows over the bloc’s limited leverage and the worsening humanitarian situation inside Myanmar.

Author: MK

Source: Reuters