Kuala Lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has stressed that quiet engagement has played an effective role in addressing the ongoing crisis in Myanmar. “The steps may be small and the bridge may be fragile, but as they say, in matters of peace, even a fragile bridge is better than a widening gulf,” he said in his opening remarks at the 46th ASEAN Summit here today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar stated that ASEAN has been able to take positive steps with the formation of the Informal Advisory Group for Malaysia as the ASEAN Chair for 2025. Headed by Thailand’s former Prime Minister Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra, the group also convened in Brunei Darussalam, with the presence of the Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. Anwar highlighted the significance of the progress made since the third meeting held in Bangkok, noting that efforts are moving forward toward resolving the Myanmar crisis. He expressed gratitude that the upcoming meeting will be hosted by Cambodia’s former Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen.

Earlier this month, Anwar initiated separate dialogues with Myanmar’s junta leader Min Aung Hlaing and the opposition National Unity Government (NUG), marking a significant step towards fostering direct engagement between the conflicting parties. This direct engagement underscores a strategic approach aimed at facilitating dialogue and understanding among the involved parties.

Yesterday, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan announced that the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) had reached an agreement for ASEAN to undertake internal consultations on the proposal to appoint a permanent ASEAN Special Envoy on Myanmar for a three-year term. This move is intended to ensure continuity and sustained engagement in addressing the ongoing crisis, and it has been viewed as a potential breakthrough in ASEAN’s mediation efforts.