KUALA LUMPUR — Tan Hong Pin, the Member of Parliament for Bakri, has defended Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s meeting with Myanmar’s military leadership, arguing that former foreign minister Saifuddin Abdullah’s criticism overlooks the visit’s primary objective.

In a statement today, Hong Pin acknowledged that differing views on foreign policy approaches are acceptable but stressed the importance of separating political posturing from urgent humanitarian action.

“Anwar’s visit is not a departure from Asean’s collective stance. Rather, it is a move made with the full knowledge and support of Asean leaders, driven by the pressing need to deliver humanitarian assistance to the people of Myanmar in the wake of a catastrophic earthquake,” he said.

In a previous statement, Saifuddin reaffirmed his long-standing stance that Malaysia and Asean should only engage with Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG), the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), and other relevant stakeholders.

Saifuddin highlighted that throughout his tenure as foreign minister, under the leadership of prime minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Malaysia had consistently declined to recognise the Myanmar junta in both bilateral and multilateral settings.

Hong Pin added that while Malaysia recognises the importance of engaging with all relevant parties, including the NUG and NUCC, it is crucial to stress that its current engagement with the military leadership is purely humanitarian in nature.

“It does not signal political recognition of the junta. Instead, it is a pragmatic and time-sensitive effort to facilitate the effective delivery of aid to those most affected by the recent 7.7 magnitude earthquake, which claimed over 3,600 lives and left more than 6.3 million people in need.

“This mission aligns with Malaysia’s pledge of RM10 million in humanitarian assistance and includes the deployment of the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (Smart),” he said.

“The PM’s discussions are also aimed at ensuring an extension of the ceasefire between the military and rebel groups – an essential condition for safe and unhindered relief operations.

“Malaysia remains firmly committed to the Asean Five-Point Consensus and continues to advocate for a peaceful, inclusive, and democratic resolution to the crisis in Myanmar. However, in times of natural disaster, political considerations must not impede life-saving aid efforts.

“This is not about legitimising any regime. It is about saving lives and ensuring that aid reaches those who need it most.

“We urge all stakeholders, both within and beyond Asean, to support efforts that prioritise the welfare of the Myanmar people and to approach this humanitarian crisis with the unity and responsibility the moment demands,” Hong Pin added. — April 18, 2025