By Rozanna Latiff

KUALA LUMPUR, Reuters – The Malaysian foreign minister stated on Thursday that there were reservations from some Southeast Asian nations about the visit of Cambodia’s leader to Myanmar last week. He expressed concern it might be seen as a regional recognition for its ruling junta.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, the new chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met last week with military ruler https://reut.rs/3ngcp4w Min Aung Hlaing, the first such visit by a head of government to Myanmar since last year’s coup, dealing a blow to international efforts to isolate the generals.

Late Thursday night, Saifuddin Abdullah spoke to journalists. He said that there was a variety of opinions in ASEAN regarding Hun Sen’s trip, and some members were concerned about it being seen as legitimizing the coup-makers.

His statement was interpreted by others as “a recognition of military personnel in Myanmar” and claimed that many people think he should have declined the visit.

Malaysia believes that he is entitled to travel to Myanmar as head of the government of Cambodia. We feel however that he should have consulted other ASEAN leaders to get our opinions on what to do in Myanmar, since he already holds the ASEAN chair.

Saifuddin answered the question “No” when asked if Hun Sen visited.

Myanmar is in chaos since the coup. The military used deadly force to suppress protests, and faced armed resistance from multiple fronts by opponents it called “terrorists”.

Thousands have been arrested and ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, 76, has been convicted of crimes https://reut.rs/3tqSFyS including incitement and breaching coronavirus rules.

ASEAN late last year took the unprecedented step of sidelining https://reut.rs/3n0roOZ junta boss Min Aung Hlaing from its leaders’ summit over his failure to implement a five-point peace plan to end hostilities and start inclusive dialogue, which he had agreed to with ASEAN.

Saifuddin stated that it wasn’t clear whether Cambodia would, as ASEAN chairman, continue to exclude Myanmar juntas from ASEAN meetings until they show progress. This position was favoured previously by Brunei which Malaysia supported.

Cambodia’s foreign minister Prak Sokhonn on Saturday said his country as ASEAN chair would take “different approaches” https://reut.rs/3K36kC4 to the Myanmar crisis.

Myanmar’s state media reports that Min Aung Hlaing thanked Hun S for being “standing by Myanmar”.