KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 4 — The wave of violence that has gripped Myanmar for years shows signs of easing, with Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan revealing that attacks on civilians have dropped significantly since Malaysia took over ASEAN’s chairmanship.
He attributed the improvement to ASEAN’s continued diplomatic engagement through the Five-Point Consensus (5PC), which, despite slow progress, has fostered communication among conflicting factions.
“Since Malaysia became ASEAN Chair, the level of violence has reduced dramatically — from 100 per cent to just around 20 per cent,” Mohamad said during a Parliament session in response to questions on ASEAN’s ongoing mediation.
He said Malaysia, as facilitator, has encouraged conflicting groups to hold dialogue and has served as a channel of communication to the Myanmar government.
Yet, Mohamad stressed that Myanmar’s crisis remains deeply complex, as the conflict spans multiple ethnic and political fronts with competing interests.
When asked about elections in Myanmar, Mohamad reiterated Malaysia’s position that ASEAN will only recognise polls that are credible, transparent, and inclusive.
He also touched on the plight of Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, noting that Myanmar’s authorities are conducting verification procedures to facilitate their return home once conditions become conducive.