ASEAN warns Myanmar its election has to be 'inclusive'

Foreign ministers tell regime its priority should be to 'stop the violence'

Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan speaks during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat on Langkawi Island, Malaysia, on Sunday © Reuters

NORMAN GOH, Nikkei staff writer

January 19, 2025 07:47 JST

Updated on January 19, 2025 18:55 JST

LANGKAWI, Malaysia -- ASEAN foreign ministers warned Myanmar's military regime on Sunday that its election planned for this year has to be "inclusive" and "involve all stakeholders."

Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said after hosting a meeting of the 10-member group's foreign ministers on Langkawi island that the priority for Myanmar, a member of the bloc, should instead be to "stop the violence and reinstate a peaceful [political] system."