Kuala lumpur: MERCY Malaysia has called on ASEAN to reaffirm its commitment to the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) on Myanmar, urging the regional bloc to prioritise humanitarian access and strengthen the Special Envoy mechanism amid the ongoing crisis in the country.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, as ASEAN Foreign Ministers convene in Kuala Lumpur this week, its president, Datuk Dr Ahmad Faizal Mohd Perdaus, stated that the 5PC, adopted by ASEAN in 2021, remains the clearest pathway toward regional peace and stability in Myanmar.

He highlighted the delays faced by humanitarian convoys at crossings, leaving families without access to essential resources like clean water, shelter, and healthcare. This situation underscores the need for coordinated and sustained action to reach those in dire need.

The 5PC serves as ASEAN's framework for addressing the Myanmar crisis. It includes calls for an end to violence, inclusive dialogue, mediation by a special envoy, delivery of humanitarian aid, and a visit by the envoy to engage with all involved parties.

Ahmad Faizal also emphasized the need to strengthen the special envoy mechanism with a clear operational mandate, stakeholder access, and adequate resources, advocating for its transformation into a permanent position.

He urged for a regional commitment to humanitarianism as a shared ethos, viewing suffering as a call for solidarity, structural justice, and long-term engagement.

The 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting is scheduled to take place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from July 8 to 11.