At the 2025 ASEAN Summit held in Jakarta, Malaysia made a strong diplomatic appeal for member states to rally behind an expanded ceasefire in Myanmar, in the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck the country earlier this month. The call comes as Myanmar reels from the dual crises of natural disaster and ongoing civil conflict, and as regional leaders grapple with how best to respond to the unfolding humanitarian and political catastrophe.
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, speaking on the opening day of the summit, urged fellow leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to move beyond symbolic gestures and commit to a concrete, coordinated effort to solidify and expand the temporary ceasefire that has taken hold in parts of Myanmar since the earthquake.
“This is not a moment for hesitation or half-measures,” Anwar declared. “The suffering in Myanmar has reached an unspeakable level, and now—amid the rubble—we have a narrow but critical window to forge peace and deliver aid. Malaysia urges all ASEAN partners to act decisively and collectively.”
Myanmar Earthquake Sparks Fragile Pause in Conflict
On 10 May 2025, a powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar, leaving more than 2,000 people dead and tens of thousands displaced. The disaster has leveled villages, destroyed infrastructure, and disrupted already-fragile supply lines for food, medicine, and shelter.
In response, various armed factions—most notably the military junta (the State Administration Council) and certain ethnic resistance groups—have informally paused hostilities in several regions to allow emergency workers to reach affected populations. This ceasefire, while welcome, is tenuous and inconsistently observed. Sporadic skirmishes have continued in Shan and Kachin states.
Humanitarian agencies, including the International Red Cross and UNHCR, have emphasized the urgent need for uninterrupted access to affected areas, warning that without a more stable and geographically expanded ceasefire, thousands more lives could be lost to starvation, disease, or exposure.
Malaysia Takes Leadership Role
Malaysia has emerged as one of the most vocal ASEAN members calling for more assertive engagement in Myanmar’s crisis—both the humanitarian fallout and the political turmoil that began in 2021 with the military coup that overthrew the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.
“Malaysia is stepping into a leadership role,” said Dr. Farida Hassan, an expert in Southeast Asian diplomacy at the University of Malaya. “They are not just calling for peace—they are calling for accountability, and a clear path forward.”
Prime Minister Anwar’s statement included a proposal for a three-point ASEAN-led action plan:
- Formalize and Expand the Ceasefire – Urge all parties in Myanmar to commit to a region-wide, monitored ceasefire for at least six months to allow full humanitarian access.
- Establish Humanitarian Corridors – Create demilitarized aid corridors under the supervision of ASEAN and international partners, ensuring aid reaches remote and contested regions.
- Resume Inclusive Dialogue – Convene an emergency dialogue including representatives from the National Unity Government (NUG), ethnic armed groups, and the junta, facilitated by ASEAN’s Special Envoy.
Reactions Within ASEAN
While Malaysia’s proposal was praised by human rights groups and some ASEAN member states, others reacted with more caution. Indonesia, the current ASEAN chair, voiced support for the humanitarian dimension of the proposal but stopped short of endorsing the full six-month ceasefire plan, citing concerns over implementation and verification.
Thailand and Cambodia, historically more aligned with Myanmar’s military leadership, have urged “non-interference” and emphasized the importance of “quiet diplomacy.”
Nevertheless, there appears to be growing consensus that the humanitarian situation in Myanmar has reached a critical tipping point—one that could either open the door for regional stabilization or push the country into deeper chaos.
“This is ASEAN’s test,” said Dr. Aung Min Thura, a Burmese political analyst in exile. “If they can’t act now, when the people of Myanmar are suffering from war and disaster, then what does ASEAN stand for?”
International Pressure Builds
The international community is watching closely. The United Nations has called on ASEAN to use its “unique position and moral authority” to intervene constructively. The U.S. and EU have both expressed support for the ceasefire expansion and urged regional actors to facilitate inclusive peace talks.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued a statement on 23 May, commending “Malaysia’s principled leadership” and urging “regional solidarity and swift humanitarian response in Myanmar.”
A Fragile Opportunity
Despite the geopolitical complexities, analysts agree that the earthquake has created an unusual—and perhaps fleeting—opportunity for ASEAN to make progress on the Myanmar crisis.
“The earthquake has frozen the battlefield, even if only partially,” said Richard Heydarian, a political analyst and columnist. “This may be the best shot ASEAN has had in years to leverage its influence—not through coercion, but through compassion and unity.”
For the people of Myanmar, time is of the essence. Shelters are overcrowded, hospitals are under-resourced, and hundreds of thousands are living without clean water or electricity.
For Malaysia, the moral imperative is clear—and so is the message to the region: ASEAN must do more than observe. It must act.
With reporting from Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and Naypyidaw.
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