Charles Santiago

A Turning Point in ASEAN-Myanmar Engagement: Anwar’s Meeting with the NUG Must Be the Beginning, Not the Exception.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s meeting with Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) is a powerful and commendable move: one that breaks with the silence of past ASEAN engagements and sets an important precedent. This moment should not stand alone.

Any meaningful path towards peace in Myanmar must include the NUG and ethnic resistance groups as essential stakeholders. Durable solutions cannot be crafted with the military junta alone, especially one with a documented record of violence, betrayal, and systemic abuse of its own people.

But, moving forward, these meetings must be conducted transparently and not shrouded in secrecy, so that the international community can remain informed and play its role in holding the military accountable.

Anwar’s call for a ceasefire to facilitate humanitarian aid is a welcome and necessary step. But hard questions must now follow.

Who will monitor this ceasefire? Can we trust a junta that has consistently ignored international appeals and continues aerial bombardments and civilian killings? The UN itself has reported ongoing attacks by the Myanmar military.

ASEAN must therefore step up, by deploying two independent representatives from each member State as neutral observers to monitor both the ceasefire and the delivery of aid.

If aid is to reach those in need and not be siphoned off to Naypyidaw to further entrench the military regime, transparency and oversight are non-negotiable. The people of Myanmar have suffered enough. ASEAN can and must lead a coordinated humanitarian effort that is inclusive, civilian-led, and accountable.

Equally vital is ensuring complete transparency in the distribution of humanitarian aid. The quantum of aid allocated to Myanmar must be publicly disclosed to ensure accountability and prevent misuse.

Beyond figures, a multidisciplinary team of credible stakeholders drawn from ASEAN member states, the United Nations, and civil society organisations (CSOs) must be granted access to the more remote and conflict-affected regions of the country.

At present, the international community remains largely in the dark about conditions in these areas, raising urgent questions about possible human rights violations occurring beyond the reach of scrutiny.

The time for vague statements has passed; what’s needed now is action grounded in reality and integrity.

Again, credit must be given where it is due: Anwar has shown leadership by recognising the NUG. But if this bold first step is to matter, it must be followed by a firm regional response that centres the people of Myanmar and not their oppressors.

Charles Santiago