Amid criticism, Anwar to meet Myanmar junta leader in Thailand

Summary

• Several quarters have criticised Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s plan to meet Myanmar's junta chief Min Aung Hlaing in Thailand.

• Although Anwar justified it on humanitarian grounds, anti-junta groups fear Min may try to build up legitimacy within Asean using the meeting.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is set to meet Myanmar’s junta chief Min Aung Hlaing during his visit to Thailand, according to Reuters today.

While Anwar had mentioned that the meeting was about pushing for a ceasefire extension in the earthquake and war-ravaged Myanmar on humanitarian grounds, the decision has been criticised by those opposed to the junta leadership.

“There’s a possibility of the junta exploiting these opportunities to build up legitimacy within the Asean framework,” said Sai Kyi Zin Soe, an independent political analyst based in Thailand.

On March 29, Myanmar was hit by a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake, which also affected neighbouring countries like Thailand.

The incident left over 2,800 people and 4,639 injured.

Subsequently, Min made a rare request for international humanitarian aid and announced a ceasefire after years of fighting rebels following the junta’s move to depose a legitimately elected government in 2021.

The ceasefire is set to end on April 22.

Rare diplomatic opening

Despite the devastation, Reuters reported that the incident has provided Min with a rare diplomatic opening, including a visit to Bangkok for key meetings in early April.

Two diplomatic sources in Bangkok told Reuters that Min would return within a fortnight to meet Anwar in the Thai capital.

One of the sources mentioned that they would be joined by Thailand’s former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, whom Anwar has appointed a personal adviser in his capacity as Asean chair.

Malaysia’s embassy in Thailand and the Thai Foreign Ministry did not respond to queries about the Myanmar-related meetings in Bangkok, where Anwar is also set to hold talks with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin’s daughter.

Caution

Urging “utmost caution”, several anti-junta groups, including the shadow National Unity Government (NUG) and the Karen National Union, said the meeting is being held under the pretext of delivering humanitarian aid.

“The military junta led by Min Aung Hlaing is a perpetrator of clear violations of the Asean five-point consensus,” they said in a statement yesterday, referring to the grouping’s peace plan for Myanmar.

“Any unilateral engagement with the military leader - widely regarded as a terrorist - must be approached with the utmost caution.”

Rebel groups and the United Nations also claimed that despite the ceasefire, the junta has repeatedly launched airstrikes during the truce.

“Asean... they've boycotted the participation of the junta since 2021.

“So now this meeting could really undermine that position,” added Sai Kyi.

This was not the first time Anwar had raised eyebrows after Malaysia took over the Asean chair.

In February, former deputy minister Hanipa Maidin criticised Anwar for appointing Thaksin and former Cambodian strongman Hun Sen as his personal advisers, given the duo’s controversial past.

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