Senior government officials yesterday reacted strongly to a suggestion by former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad that Myanmar should be punished and even expelled from ASEAN for its policies toward the Rohingya.
Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks at an event in Kuala Lumpur on June 5. Photo: EPAFormer Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks at an event in Kuala Lumpur on June 5. Photo: EPA
Deputy Foreign Minister U Thant Kyaw told The Myanmar Times that Mr Mahathir’s views, set out in a speech in Kuala Lumpur on June 12, showed the former premier was out of touch with the situation, possibly on the grounds of his age. Mr Mahathir is 89.
ASEAN recognises Myanmar as a member that brings benefits to all in the region, U Thant Kyaw said.
U Hau Khan Sum, director of the ASEAN Affairs Department, said he was surprised by Mr Mahathir’s comments because the former premier understood well the importance of unity in ASEAN and how the regional grouping was moving forward to a peaceful and prosperous community.
“I don’t understand why he spoke like that because Myanmar has been cooperating with all member countries for resolving those problems right now and Myanmar has already stated that no country should be singled out through finger-pointing,” he said.
“As you know, ASEAN does not make decisions without consensus. Therefore, it is impossible to expel Myanmar from ASEAN,” U Hau Khan Sum said.
Mr Mahathir slammed Myanmar’s treatment of the Rohingya Muslim minority in a keynote address at a conference titled “Plight of the Rohingya, Part II Crime Against Humanity” held at Kuala Lumpur’s Islamic Arts Museum.
He said ASEAN countries had throughout the years taken a diplomatic approach in trying to engage Myanmar over the issue.
