Malaysia’s PM says effective engagement and allowing Myanmar’s people to decide their future are key to resolving the long-standing conflict.
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia reaffirmed its position that the Myanmar crisis should be resolved through effective engagement, with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim saying Thailand could play a pivotal role in efforts to address the long-standing conflict.
Speaking at a joint press conference following bilateral talks with visiting Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul here on Thursday, Anwar said Malaysia believed the people of Myanmar should be allowed to determine their own future.
He added that Thailand, as Myanmar’s close neighbour and an important regional partner, could help advance efforts towards resolving the crisis.
“I’m also extremely delighted to hear the Prime Minister’s (Anutin) view on Myanmar, because we in Malaysia are of the opinion that the best way to resolve this long-standing issue is through effective engagement and to allow the people of Myanmar to decide for themselves.
“And Thailand, as an important friend and neighbour, can play a pivotal role,” he said.
The Myanmar crisis has remained a key agenda item for ASEAN since the military takeover in 2021, with the regional bloc continuing efforts to encourage dialogue and implement the Five-Point Consensus.
Touching on the Thailand-Cambodia border issue, Anwar said he appreciated Thailand’s commitment to maintaining peace.
“I do appreciate his (Anutin) collaborative stance in securing continued peace on the issue of the border, and we will of course continue to listen and have the exchanges,” he said.
He said that Malaysia trusted the wisdom of the leaders concerned to resolve the issue peacefully and ensure ASEAN remained a stable and peaceful region.
Anutin arrived in Malaysia on Thursday for a two-day official visit at the invitation of Anwar. It is his first bilateral visit to Malaysia since his reappointment in March 2026.
On Friday (July 10), Anwar and Anutin will jointly visit Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kedah, to officiate the opening of a road linking the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex in Bukit Kayu Hitam and the Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) Complex in Sadao, Thailand.
