PUTRAJAYA, 18 May 2009: The Malaysian government is concerned about the recent detention of pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, saying that the detention will undermine the process of national reconciliation and the road map to democracy in Myanmar.
Foreign Minister Datuk Anifah Aman said Malaysia urged the Myanmar government to release Aung San Suu Kyi and other political detainees.
Malaysia’s call is in line with the Asean chairperson’s statement issued at the 14th Asean Summit in Cha-am Hua Hin on 1 March this year, that the government of Myanmar facilitates the national reconciliation process to be more inclusive and involve all stakeholders in Myanmar.
Anifah said the inclusion of all political parties in the political process leading to the general election in 2010 would also contribute significantly to the national reconciliation process.
“With the move, Malaysia hopes the general election will be held in a peaceful and just manner,” he said in a statement here today.
Malaysia also welcomed the proposal by Thailand as the current Asean chairperson, to discuss the present situation in Myanmar at the Asean Senior Officials meeting.
The two-day meeting will be held in Phuket, Thailand beginning tomorrow. — Bernama
