Malaysia sees shift in Myanmar stance

Malaysia has suggested Myanmar’s new leadership may be more open to regional peace efforts, raising cautious hopes for progress after years of stalled diplomacy.

Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan made the remarks following talks in Naypyitaw with his counterpart Tin Maung Swe. Discussions centred on ASEAN’s five‑point consensus, political prisoners and the Rohingya refugee crisis.

Myanmar’s current administration was formed after military leader Min Aung Hlaing assumed the presidency and installed a new cabinet following elections widely dismissed as neither free nor credible. Yet Hasan told lawmakers that officials appeared “more willing to listen” to ASEAN concerns than in previous encounters.

The five‑point consensus, agreed in 2021, was designed to end violence and promote dialogue but has delivered little. Myanmar’s refusal to engage with opposition groups and armed resistance movements has left the plan largely paralysed. Malaysia now says foreign ministers are exploring ways to strengthen or revise the framework, though any changes would require approval from ASEAN leaders.

Humanitarian issues remain central. Malaysia pressed for the release of political detainees and raised concerns over displaced populations, including the Rohingya minority. With tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees living in Malaysia, the government has repeatedly called for lasting solutions.

Despite the more positive tone, scepticism persists. Rights groups and Western governments argue Myanmar’s recent election entrenched military control under a civilian façade. Ongoing conflict across large parts of the country continues to undermine confidence that diplomacy alone can deliver peace.

Even so, Hasan’s comments mark one of the more optimistic assessments from a senior Southeast Asian official in recent years. For ASEAN, they hint at a potential opening to re‑engage Myanmar — though whether this translates into genuine progress remains uncertain.

-2026-06-29