Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah has called for Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) and the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) to be included in ASEAN discussions seeking a resolution to the Myanmar crisis.

Malaysia’s foreign minister made the statement in a Facebook post on 4 August following the end of the 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting convened in Phnom Penh during which they had extensive discussions on a range of key issues, including the conflict in Myanmar.

As the foreign minister noted, Malaysia reiterated two points: that the junta not be allowed to send political representation to all ASEAN Ministerial Level meetings and to strengthen the implementation of the 5-Point Consensus (5PC) by having a framework with a clear end game for the people of Myanmar.

The end game is a democratic, inclusive, just, peaceful, harmonious, and prosperous Myanmar, whose civil and political rights are guaranteed by the people’s constitution, he added.

Malaysia also outlined the matters and processes required to achieve that end game, including plans and implementing parties for ceasefire, stabilization and transition, a People's Constitution and elections that are free and agreed upon by all.

“Malaysia’s views are based on meetings with various stakeholders, hence the call for dialogue between ASEAN and all stakeholders to be more inclusive, to include the National Unity Government (NUG) and the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) and for it to be expedited and made public,” the Malaysian FM wrote.

The NUG effectively represents the ousted civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) that won the November 2020 election by a landslide.

Many of the NLD politicians – including former State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint – are currently under detention, facing a range of charges. 

The NUG has been calling to be represented in the ASEAN meetings to discuss the future of Myanmar in the wake of the military coup.