BANGKOK – Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is set to meet with representatives of Myanmar's opposition National Unity Government (NUG) on Friday, April 18. This follows his recent discussions in Bangkok with the head of Myanmar’s military junta, Min Aung Hlaing, to address humanitarian needs after a devastating earthquake struck the country.

Myanmar has been plunged into chaos since a 2021 military coup overthrew the democratically elected government, sparking widespread unrest and a civil war that has displaced more than 3.5 million people and crippled the economy. A deadly 7.7-magnitude earthquake in March worsened the already dire situation, killing over 3,600 people and damaging essential infrastructure. However, the disaster has also provided an opportunity for renewed diplomatic efforts.

As chair of the ASEAN bloc, Anwar emphasized that his recent meeting with the junta leader partly focused on delivering humanitarian aid to those affected by the quake. He had also expressed hopes of extending a ceasefire declared in the wake of the disaster. “Tomorrow morning, I will meet with representatives of the National Unity Government,” Anwar announced on Facebook, reaffirming Malaysia’s commitment to encouraging inclusive dialogue for Myanmar’s peace and stability.

The NUG, made up of former elected officials and anti-junta factions, has been critical of direct engagement with the military leadership, urging such efforts be handled with extreme caution. ASEAN has excluded Myanmar’s military leaders from official meetings since the coup due to their failure to implement the bloc’s peace roadmap, known as the five-point consensus. Thailand’s Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who also held bilateral talks with Anwar, echoed the need for wider engagement. A Thai government spokesperson stated that inclusive dialogue is essential for progress in Myanmar, aligning with ASEAN’s peace strategy.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.