LANGKAWI, Malaysia — On Sunday, Southeast Asian foreign ministers convened for their inaugural meeting of the year on the picturesque island of Langkawi, hosted by Malaysia under its new chairmanship. The primary agenda focused on seeking solutions to Myanmar’s ongoing civil conflict and addressing territorial tensions in the South China Sea.
This retreat marked a significant gathering for the ten-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), aiming to establish the bloc’s strategic direction for the upcoming year. Officials expressed that the focus would be on addressing the protracted crisis in Myanmar, which has seen violent clashes for four years, in tandem with the growing assertiveness of China in the South China Sea.
During the meeting, Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan revealed that Myanmar was represented by a low-ranking official from its Foreign Ministry due to restrictions imposed on its ruling junta from participating in formal ASEAN discussions. He noted that this representative outlined plans for a general election scheduled for this year. However, ASEAN officials emphasized that ensuring peace should take precedence prior to organizing any elections.
“The election must be inclusive. It cannot occur in isolation but should involve all relevant parties,” Hasan asserted during a news conference concluding the retreat. He reiterated that while elections are significant, they are secondary to the urgent need to cease the ongoing violence in Myanmar.
The situation in Myanmar has presented one of the most significant challenges for ASEAN following a military coup that ousted the democratically elected government in February 2021. This coup has triggered an armed resistance, resulting in rebel forces gaining control over substantial territories. The conflict has led to the deaths of tens of thousands and has forced millions to flee their homes.
Though ASEAN implemented a peace framework and initiated various efforts to mediate the crisis, these attempts have largely been ineffective, stymied by the organization’s principle of non-interference and the military government’s noncompliance. Critics argue that Myanmar’s impending elections are unlikely to be conducted in a fair or transparent manner, as the junta seeks to validate its authority.
Given the deteriorating situation, Malaysia is expected to adopt a more assertive approach to encourage diplomatic resolution. Hasan mentioned the appointment of Othman Hashim as a special envoy for ASEAN to Myanmar, with the objective of engaging different factions within the country. He stated that Malaysia’s aim is not to isolate Myanmar but to foster dialogue and diplomatic relationships to facilitate a return to democratic governance.
The foreign ministers’ discussions also extended to the potential impacts of the second term of U.S. President Donald Trump on the region, particularly concerning the unfolding competition with China. The ministers expressed concerns that heightened rivalry among major powers could exacerbate regional tensions and urged the need for strengthened unity and economic collaboration within ASEAN amidst global uncertainties.
“It’s crucial that we maintain ASEAN as our principal platform for finding solutions… We should lead in defining our own path forward,” Hasan emphasized.
With ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, which serves as a critical conduit for global shipping, the ministers prioritized negotiations between ASEAN and China concerning a code of conduct governing this vital area. Although talks previously aimed for completion by 2026, progress has stalled due to disagreements over the binding nature of the agreement and its coverage area.
“We underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea,” Hasan remarked.
ASEAN countries such as Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei, along with Taiwan, have overlapping territorial claims with China, which asserts control over almost the entirety of the South China Sea. The region witnessed numerous confrontations last year, including clashes between Chinese and Philippine vessels, assaults on Vietnamese fishermen, and incursions by Chinese vessels into areas claimed by Indonesia and Malaysia as their exclusive economic zones.
While ASEAN has refrained from publicly criticizing China, which stands as the bloc’s largest trading partner, Malaysia is likely to employ a strategy of cautious diplomacy to navigate the security challenges while seeking economic benefits. “Given the situation, Malaysia, along with ASEAN as a whole, lacks the diplomatic and military capability to confront China directly,” remarked Muhamamd Faizal Abdul Rahman, a researcher at Singapore’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.
