LANGKAWI: Asean has no intention of expelling Myanmar from the regional bloc, despite its military junta government's failure to comply with the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) issued by Asean leaders four years ago.
Instead, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the focus is now on ending violence in Myanmar and expanding the distribution of humanitarian aid in the country, stressing that holding general elections is not an immediate priority.
"We have no intention of expelling Myanmar from Asean. We are looking forward to a peaceful dialogue in Myanmar and restoring stability there.
"We are doing our very best to work together with dialogue partners and neighbouring countries to ensure stability and restore a democratic government in Myanmar.
"That idea of expelling Myanmar is an old story," he said during a press conference after chairing the Asean Foreign Ministers' Retreat, the first ministerial-level meeting under Malaysia's Asean chairmanship, today.
Mohamad Hasan was responding to a news report in November that allegedly quoted Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim suggesting Asean should temporarily expel Myanmar.
When asked whether Asean is considering other approaches to pressure Myanmar following its lack of commitment to the 5PC, he explained that four of the points have been met, except for ending violence.
"The Five-Point Consensus has already been fulfilled, except for the first point, which is to stop the violence. That's all. Then stop the hostilities.
"That is what we want to discuss, and Asean's special envoy to Myanmar, Tan Sri Othman Hashim, will meet with various stakeholders in Myanmar to resolve the issue," he said.
When pressed on how soon the former diplomat would visit Myanmar, he replied, "very soon."
He added that Othman's immediate task is to work towards a ceasefire in Myanmar to allow a more comprehensive distribution of humanitarian aid without risking the safety of aid agencies and workers.
Othman is a former secretary-general of Malaysia's foreign ministry.
"That is a very difficult issue. As it is now, humanitarian aid is reaching the Myanmar people. But what we want is unhindered humanitarian aid that can reach all in need.
"As I said, the crisis is deepening. That's why we emphasised in our meeting that Myanmar must fulfil its obligations as a partner of Asean," he said.
Mohamad Hasan also pointed out that holding an election is not the main priority in Myanmar at present, as it needs to be inclusive, involving all eligible voters.
"Yes, they are suggesting they will have an election, but it must be inclusive. Elections cannot be in isolation. They must involve all segments of stakeholders. If an election is held in isolation and only represents certain sectors in Myanmar, I don't think that's a priority.
"The priority now is to stop the violence and reinstate peace in Myanmar," he said.