Foreign
MALAYSIA’S Prime Minister, Muhyiddin Yassin, on Friday warned that political turmoil triggered by this week’s military coup in Myanmar could hurt regional stability.
Muhyiddin said he discussed the situation in Myanmar during talks with President Joko Widodo in Jakarta, where he was on a 24-hour visit.
“Like Indonesia, Malaysia is also concerned about the situation in Myanmar, which has taken a step back in the country’s democratic process,” Muhyiddin said in his remarks at the end of the meeting with Joko.
“It is feared that the political unrest in Myanmar could affect peace and stability in the region,” he said.
The Malaysian and Indonesian foreign ministers will propose a special meeting of top diplomats from the 10-member Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to discuss the developments in Myanmar, a fellow member state, both leaders said.
Myanmar’s military seized power from the elected government and detained de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, and other members of the government on Monday.
The military justified seizing power by alleging widespread voter fraud during the general election in November, though they did not provide any direct evidence.
That election saw a landslide win for Suu Kyi’s NLD, a party that is one of the most influential forces in Myanmar’s pro-democracy movement.
Joko, the Indonesian president, said the dispute over the results of the elections in Myanmar should be resolved through existing legal mechanisms.
“It is important that we respect the principles enshrined in the ASEAN charter, including the rule of law, good governance, democracy, and human rights, and a constitutional government,” Joko said. (DPA/NAN)
– Feb. 5, 2021 @ 10:56 GMT |
Tags: Malaysia warns Myanmar coup could hurt regional stability
