KUALA LUMPUR, October 27 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today urged his counterparts in the East Asia Summit (EAS) to continue engaging with Myanmar and North Korea.

Anwar, who currently chairs the Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean), said Malaysia will be inviting all 27 minority groups and opposition parties from Myanmar for inclusive engagement sessions at the capital ahead of the country’s elections. 

The junta-ruled Myanmar is expected to hold a general election on December 28 — the country’s first polls since a military coup toppled the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. 

Observers and human rights group are rejecting the polls as a sham election while Asean is still mulling deploying election observers to ensure a free and fair election. 

However, Anwar today stressed that Myanmar should be allowed to conduct its state affairs via its own national mechanisms. 

Anwar said Myanmar’s junta chief and State Administration Council chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing agreed to the two conditions set by Asean member states to provide humanitarian aid for the earthquake-struck Myanmar in April this year. 

The conditions were an immediate ceasefire and for all Myanmar citizens to be given full access to field hospitals set up by Asean nations. 

“For the last one year, we see some level of progress although there have been complaints of some shootings but certainly not at the scale that it used to be.

“I met again in Beijing to talk about Asean consensus, the need for inclusive, free and fair elections. 

“Of course we do not necessarily share all his views.

“But I would still urge colleagues to continue their engagement and humanitarian assistance and allow Myanmar to conduct the affairs of their state through their own national mechanisms,” Anwar said at the EAS Summit, held at the KL Convention Centre, here, today. 

Similarly, Anwar called on his counterparts to maintain “some form of engagement” with North Korea despite the recent surge in ballistic missiles launched by the country.

On the long-standing South China Sea territorial disputes, Anwar reiterated the need for Asean member states and its regional partners to resolve the differences without external interferences. 

Meanwhile, on the Gaza conflict, Anwar said EAS member countries should closely monitor the implementation of the 20-point peace plan to ensure a lasting political solution for Palestine.

The peace deal, announced by United States President Donald Trump last month, has also garnered the support of several Arab nations and Muslim-majority countries.

Held annually, the East Asia Summit (EAS) comprises all Asean member states and their eight key partners, namely the United States (US), China, Japan, India, Russia, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea. 

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the EAS, which also convened in Kuala Lumpur for the first time in 2005.