How Has Malaysia as ASEAN Chair Fared in Handling the Myanmar Crisis?

IP26003  

Author: Tsjeng Zhizhao Henrick

Published: 08 January 2026

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Malaysia should be credited for its robust approach on the Myanmar crisis as ASEAN chair.

Nonetheless, the crisis remains largely unresolved owing to a few factors: divergences in views on handling the crisis among ASEAN’s members; the intransigence of the junta; and China’s influence in the country and support for the junta.

ASEAN needs to engage China in response to its growing influence in Myanmar, including through the ASEAN Troika on Myanmar. ASEAN should also engage other external stakeholders and consider appointing a longer-term or permanent special envoy for Myanmar.

 

For full article, please open the link:

https://rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publication/idss/ip26003-how-has-malaysia-as-asean-chair-fared-in-handling-the-myanmar-crisis/

 

The article was published by RSIS.

The Romanian Institute for Europe-Asia Studies (IRSEA) and S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), NTU have agreed to enter into an informal agreement on republishing their studies and analysis.

The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position or view of IRSEA.