Malaysia has not recognised Myanmar’s post-election administration despite engaging with its foreign minister in Naypyidaw, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan told the Dewan Rakyat.
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia has not recognised Myanmar’s post-election administration despite engaging with its foreign minister in Naypyidaw, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan told the Dewan Rakyat today.
He said the visit did not alter Malaysia’s or Asean’s position on the Five-Point Consensus (5PC), which remains the regional bloc’s primary framework for resolving the Myanmar crisis.
“I want to make it clear that the visit was not a recognition of the new Myanmar government following the election, and it does not in any way affect Malaysia’s and Asean’s position on the implementation of the 5PC.
“It was, in fact, an effort to maintain channels of communication and continue the momentum established during Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship last year.
“Engagement with Myanmar, even if conducted informally, is important to ensure Asean does not lose its leading role in helping Myanmar, while also preventing the involvement of external powers,” he said.
Mohamad said Asean must remain engaged to prevent the crisis from being shaped by external interests.
“We do not want Myanmar to become further isolated, and we do not want third parties to step in. We do not want to leave a vacuum because that vacuum will be filled by external actors.
“This will complicate matters for Asean and further worsen the situation in Myanmar,” he said.
The matter was raised by Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah (PN-Indera Mahkota), who said Malaysia should explain the Naypyidaw visit more clearly, as civil society groups could view it as an attempt to normalise ties with Myanmar’s authorities.
Myanmar held phased elections from Dec 28, 2025, to Jan 25, 2026, amid an ongoing civil war and without the participation of major opposition parties, including Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy.
The military-backed Union Solidarity and Development Party secured an overwhelming victory, after which junta chief Min Aung Hlaing was elected president by the newly formed parliament.
The polls were widely condemned internationally as a “sham”, with critics arguing that the conflict had disenfranchised millions of voters and left large parts of the country unable to participate.
Saifuddin said Malaysia’s position on Myanmar had been widely respected internationally, but the visit could raise questions as Mohamad had met a minister appointed following what he described as a “sham election”.
Mohamad rejected the suggestion, saying Malaysia’s position remained unchanged and that he had deliberately avoided meeting Myanmar Foreign Minister U Tin Maung Swe at his official office.
“I have already said that we do not recognise it. The words ‘do not recognise’ have already been stated. When we do not recognise it, the term ‘government’ is not applicable.
“I went to Naypyidaw and met the Myanmar foreign minister, but not at his office. That must be clearly understood. I did not meet him at his office, even though preparations had been made to receive me there.
“I did not accept that arrangement. I met him only at a hotel, had tea with him and discussed the matters that Malaysia and Asean want to see addressed in Myanmar,” he said.
Mohamad said he had told Myanmar that Asean was prepared to help, but Myanmar must also fulfil its obligations as a member of the regional bloc.
“I told him that we want to help, but Myanmar must realise that it also has responsibilities. It is often said at Asean meetings that Myanmar has rights as an Asean member, but it tends to forget that those rights come with obligations that must also be fulfilled,” he said.
