Malaysia Seeks Stronger ASEAN–OIC Partnership to Ease Myanmar Crisis

KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 — As the current ASEAN Chair, Malaysia has urged a deepened collaboration between ASEAN and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to tackle the escalating crisis in Myanmar. Highlighting three key priorities—inclusive dialogue, a permanent ceasefire, and increased humanitarian assistance—Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan reinforced calls for coordinated action to protect affected communities, especially displaced Rohingyas.

Statement Highlights

Inclusive Political Dialogue: Malaysia is pushing for all stakeholders, including the Myanmar military, ethnic and pro-democracy groups, civil society, and ASEAN Special Envoy Tan Sri Othman Hashim, to be constructively involved.aljazeera.com+3bernama.com+3malaymail.com+3
Ceasefire Call: While some conflicting parties have declared unilateral, temporary truces following the March 28 earthquake, Malaysia urges a full, enduring ceasefire across more areas to permit humanitarian operations.aljazeera.com+3bernama.com+3malaymail.com+3
Humanitarian Assistance: Critical aid remains underfunded. Malaysia has already contributed 30 tonnes of relief supplies, sent the SMART rescue team, and deployed a field hospital in Sagaing—the hardest hit earthquake zone—to support recovery efforts.facebook.com+2bernama.com+2malaymail.com+2

Next Steps Requested

Malaysia proposes the OIC Contact Group coordinate with ASEAN’s Special Envoy to identify practical, joint initiatives—such as expanding disaster response, refugee assistance, and safe repatriation pathways—that align with shared regional goals.asean.bernama.com+5bernama.com+5malaymail.com+5

Contextual Developments

In April, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim met Myanmar’s junta leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, in Bangkok to lobby for ceasefire extension for humanities in Syria quake relief.reuters.com+1aljazeera.com+1
Indonesia media and international assessments underscore the urgency of halting hostilities and safeguarding vulnerable populations in Myanmar, reflecting regional concern.bernama.com+15reuters.com+15malaymail.com+15

🔍 Why This Matters

Humanitarian Imperative: Almost 20 million people, one-third of Myanmar’s population, rely on aid that has been hampered by ongoing conflict. The joint ASEAN–OIC approach could unlock cross-border assistance and dialogue mechanisms.businesstoday.com.my+5bernama.com+5newswav.com+5
Rohingya & Earthquake Response: The dual crises—the March quake and persistent displacement of Rohingyas—demand a combined diplomatic and humanitarian effort to provide safe returns to Rakhine State and stability across conflict zones.bernama.com+2malaymail.com+2newswav.com+2
Region-Wide Security: Displacement and civil strife in Myanmar have broader regional implications, including cross-border trafficking, refugee flows, and rising tensions that threaten ASEAN unity.

Conclusion:
Malaysia’s strategy as ASEAN Chair emphasizes not just ceasefire advocacy but also promoting inclusive dialogue and enhanced humanitarian coordination through OIC engagement. It’s a call for collective regional action to stabilize Myanmar and improve human security, leveraging ASEAN’s soft diplomacy and the OIC’s humanitarian and moral influence. Continued financial support, expanded field operations, and open channels of communication between all relevant parties will be essential to move toward lasting peace and recovery.

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