Bangkok: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has taken a bold diplomatic step by holding talks with both Myanmar’s military leadership and its key opposition group, aiming to address the country’s humanitarian crisis following a deadly earthquake and to encourage dialogue between warring sides.
On Thursday, Anwar met with Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing in Bangkok to discuss urgent humanitarian aid needs after a catastrophic 7.7-magnitude earthquake in March claimed nearly 4000 lives and severely damaged infrastructure. The natural disaster has worsened the already dire conditions in Myanmar, where civil war and political unrest have gripped the nation since the military overthrew an elected government in 2021.
The ongoing conflict has displaced more than 3.5 million people and devastated the economy. Anwar, who currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), stated that the talks with Min Aung Hlaing were partly aimed at reinforcing a ceasefire observed since the earthquake.
Despite ASEAN's longstanding policy of excluding the Myanmar junta from official meetings due to its failure to implement a regional peace plan, Anwar emphasized the importance of dialogue. He announced plans to meet representatives of the opposition National Unity Government (NUG) on Friday, stressing the need for inclusive engagement to promote peace and stability.
The NUG, which includes former lawmakers ousted by the 2021 coup and various anti-junta groups, has expressed concern over Anwar’s meeting with the junta leader, cautioning against unilateral diplomacy that could legitimize the military regime.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who also met with Anwar, echoed support for broader engagement with all parties involved in Myanmar’s crisis. A Thai government spokesperson highlighted that dialogue aligned with ASEAN’s five-point consensus is essential to moving forward.
