PUTRAJAYA: An unofficial meeting involving all foreign ministers of Asean member nations will convene on Wednesday (May 11) to make sure the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) aimed toward addressing the instability in Myanmar will be applied correctly, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah.
The Foreign Minister mentioned that the unofficial meeting was known as after tepid progress of the 5PC in 2021 because the Myanmar authorities’s conduct was uncooperative.
He mentioned, for instance, Myanmar had but to recognise the United Nations secretary-general’s particular envoy on Myanmar Dr Noeleen Heyzer, who was appointed in December 2021.
“We are involved that it will prove to be a hindrance to the implementation of the 5PC,” he mentioned in an interview right here on Saturday (May 7).
The 5PC was adopted by Asean leaders, together with the Myanmar junta chief, in an try to carry an finish to the violence and instability within the nation.
Saifuddin additionally mentioned that Dr Hayzer was not invited to the Consultative Meeting on Asean Humanitarian Assistance to Myanmar on May 6 in Phnom Penh, attended by the Asean secretary-general and representatives of all Asean nations’.
“Dr Noeleen, because the UN secretary-general’s particular envoy, was not invited to the meeting as a result of she wasn’t recognised by the navy junta authorities.
“This is one instance the place Myanmar was not cooperating with the implementation of 5PC, which has been (mooted) a 12 months now with no constructive progress.
“So on May 11, earlier than the Asean-US Special Summit at Washington DC, there will likely be an unofficial meeting involving all Asean foreign ministers.
“We will put ahead a number of views on how we are able to make sure the 5PC is applied correctly.”
As one of many 5PC’s focuses is to cease all clashes in Myanmar, Saifuddin famous that information have proven in any other case, with elevated incidents of armed clashes and assaults on civilians.
He mentioned 10,786 incidents had been reported between Feb 1, 2021 and April 15, 2022, with 2,146 folks killed and 13,282 folks arrested.
“Among those that had been killed and arrested included elected MPs within the final normal election, journalists, humanitarian staff, civil society members and college college students.
“What occurred in Myanmar is worse and extra in numbers if in contrast with Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan and Iraq on the similar time,” he mentioned.
Syria recorded 9,919 incidents of arm clashes and assaults on civilians, Yemen (8,246), Afghanistan (7,294) and Iraq (4,606).
Saifuddin famous that he would reiterate his name for the particular envoy of the Asean chair to unofficially interact the National Unity Government (NUG) and National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC).
“It’s okay for us to present impartiality however we should always interact them as a result of in accordance to the 5PC, we’d like to interact all stakeholders,” he mentioned, including that exhibiting ethical assist by participating didn’t imply Malaysia is taking sides.
“We haven’t any enterprise in selecting sides. We have to take into accounts that the NUG is a authorities that was fashioned by an election and the NUCC is the grouping of all types of organisations, parliamentarians, civil society organisations, ethnic teams and regional teams.
When requested if such requires engagements would additional isolate the junta from the 5PC, Saifuddin mentioned the junta have been uncooperative since its energy seize final February.
“They have been isolating themselves they usually do not appear to be very cooperative previously 12 months.
“We did not say this final 12 months. This is one thing we are saying after a 12 months that there is virtually no progress of the 5PC regardless of each particular envoys making an attempt their stage finest and dealing time beyond regulation to get – if not all – a few of it to work,” he mentioned, referring to Dr Hayzer and Asean particular envoy on Myanmar Prak Sokhonn, who can be Cambodian foreign minister.
Saifuddin additionally known as for extra worldwide organisations, particularly these beneath the United Nations which have expertise in sending humanitarian aid to war-stricken nations or battle zones to be roped in to assist.
He mentioned the Asean Humanitarian Aid Centre, which is now tasked with the job of sending aid, has no such expertise as they’re extra used to sending assist to catastrophe zones.
Saifuddin additionally known as on Asean member nations to take possession of the humanitarian help, and for his or her NGOs to voluntarily provide assist.
“Malaysia is prepared with our Mercy Malaysia, which has been in Myanmar,” he added.
Meanwhile, Saifuddin additionally mentioned that “several countries” have indicated their willingness to improve their acceptance of extra Rohingya refugees in Malaysia to be resettled there.
“The resettlement arrangement has been ongoing at all times, except when it was jeopardised during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We have been discussing with potential countries to accept refugees,” he mentioned, including that a number of inputs had been reached after a current meeting with the UNHCR director in Kuala Lumpur.
“I received the indication that there are a few countries that are prepared to accept Rohingya for resettlement, up to two fold of what they have been accepting at present.
“I will continue talks with several countries that before this have been receiving Rohingya refugees, and hope they will be able to accept more,” he added.
