ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ visit to Myanmar postponed, Malaysia confirms
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Htet Nadi (NP News) - Sep 20
The ASEAN foreign ministers’ visit to Myanmar, led by Malaysia as the current chair and originally scheduled for September 19, has been reportedly postponed due to unavoidable circumstances, according to the Malaysian Foreign Ministry.
In a statement on Friday (September 19), the Malaysian Foreign Ministry said that additional details regarding the rescheduled visit will be announced in due course.
On August 8, it was reported that Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, will lead an official ASEAN delegation to Myanmar on September 19 to assess the situation under the country’s new administration. The delegation, which includes his counterparts from Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia, was set to evaluate developments following the dissolution of the State Administration Council and the end of the state of emergency.
Mohamad noted that Myanmar had announced plans for a general election and lifted the state of emergency in line with its Constitution.
However, he emphasized the need for clarity on whether the election will be conducted fully, as 63 towns and areas remain under emergency rule imposed by Myanmar’s National Defence and Security Council. “The country has lifted the state of emergency, but these 63 areas remain under emergency rule. I want to get a clearer picture to present to ASEAN leaders in October,” he said. –