KUALA LUMPUR: The principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other members that is being upheld by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) should not be at the expense of ignoring a serious situation compromising peace, security, and stability of the bloc and its wider region.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said although the principle of non-interference was embedded in the Asean charter, it should not be treated as justification for the inaction among the 10-member countries of the crisis that is taking place in Myanmar.
"This principle of non-interference is not for us to hide behind, it cannot be a reason for our inaction. The crisis that happens in one Asean member state is not going to solve itself without affecting other member states.
"There is a tremendous expectation on the part of the international community on how Asean is addressing the Myanmar issue. The pressure is increasing, and there is only so much that Asean can do."
The prime minister said this in his intervention at the in-person Asean leaders' summit in Indonesia today.
Chaired by Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, the special meeting, which took place at the bloc's Jakarta headquarters, was held to discuss and find solution to the crisis that is enveloping in Myanmar.
Malaysia, said Muhyiddin, was "extremely concerned" about the situation unfolding in Myanmar in recent months and had wanted the country to de-escalate the situation on the ground and stop the killing and violence against civilians immediately.
The second of three proposals put forth by Malaysia during the summit was for the release political detainees promptly and unconditionally.
This, said Muhyiddin, would make way for a meaningful and inclusive political dialogue that would be a good starting point and ease international pressure on Myanmar and Asean.
Malaysia also proposed for the Asean chair and the bloc secretary-general to have access into Myanmar including to all the parties concerned, which the prime minister described as the step forward to resolve the crisis following the on-going protest against the February's military coup.
"This is much needed for Asean to provide an honest and unbiased observation.
"If Asean is allowed access, this can demonstrate to the world that it is on track in helping Myanmar restore normalcy in the country.
"And if Asean can provide regular updates with the full participation of Myanmar, this will demonstrate the willingness of the country to engage constructively and move forward," said Muhyiddin.
If the situation in Myanmar improves, he said, it would open the door for Asean to extend humanitarian assistance to those badly affected by the current situation.
"We fear a worsening situation in Myanmar will exacerbate spillover effects to the region including Malaysia," he said.
Malaysia, he said, had been greatly affected by the instability in Myanmar, not only recently, but for the past few decades.
He said Malaysia currently hosts around 200,000 displaced persons from Myanmar, particularly from the Rakhine State.
"Our resources and capacity are stretched in the management of refugees and asylum seekers, further compounded by the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Our detention centres are now already overcrowded, and the promise from third countries to resettle these displaced persons have not been forthcoming.
"Within Malaysia, they were once accorded sympathy, but the mood on the ground has turned from affinity to anger, with anti-refugee sentiment rapidly building up," he said, adding a prolonged displacement would make them vulnerable to be victims to human traffickers and terrorist recruiters.
Hence, Malaysia, said the prime minister, called for a voluntary, safe, and dignified return of displaced persons to Myanmar and for all Asean member states to have a collective responsibility in handling displaced persons in this region.
"With the return to normalcy, we wish to see the continuation of the agreed repatriation mechanism reached between Bangladesh and Myanmar."