Kuala lumpur: ASEAN has emphasised that partial elections in Myanmar cannot be considered a step towards democracy if they do not involve the inclusive participation of all stakeholders. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan stated that elections held only in specific areas and involving selected parties, just to project an image of democratic governance, are misleading and fail to reflect the true situation.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohamad Hasan highlighted that such elections do not present an accurate picture. He questioned the purpose of elections that are limited to certain regions and groups, suggesting that their sole intent appears to be to convey a false sense of democracy to the global community. He conveyed these remarks during a media conference following the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
Mohamad stressed that ASEAN's current priority is the thorough implementation of the Five-Point Consensus, rather than a skewed election agenda. The consensus aims for an immediate cessation of violence, unrestricted humanitarian aid, inclusive stakeholder dialogue, the involvement of a special ASEAN envoy, and the full execution of these points.
He stated that a ceasefire, humanitarian aid, and inclusive dialogue are imperative. ASEAN's support for elections hinges on their inclusivity, and any process excluding detainees from participating will not be endorsed.
In addition, Mohamad appreciated ASEAN's solidarity in issuing a unified statement on Palestine, calling it a significant diplomatic success. He noted the challenges in achieving consensus among member states, yet expressed satisfaction with the collective approval of the statement on Palestine.
ASEAN not only agreed on a joint statement but also adopted an action plan for implementing proposals from the special session on Palestine. Mohamad emphasized the necessity of moving beyond declarations to actionable steps, with a focus on securing a permanent ceasefire in Palestine as a prerequisite for further humanitarian and reconstruction efforts.
He underscored the collective decision of ASEAN countries to support Palestine through technical assistance, training, and financial aid. During the CEAPAD IV conference, Mohamad announced Malaysia's contribution of US$1 million to the UNRWA and the Palestinian Red Crescent, supplementing the US$16 million already provided since September 2023 for the Palestinian cause.