Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Implores Govt to Review Criticized ASEAN Five-Point Statement

 

THE Pyidaungsu Hluttaw approved a motion yesterday calling on the government to formally review and counter ASEAN’s Five-Point Statement through diplomatic channels, maintaining that the framework misaligns with contemporary political realities and breaches core tenets of national sovereignty.

The motion was submitted by Dr Nanda Hla Myint, MP for Kalaw Constituency, during the seventh day of the second regular session of the Third Pyidaungsu Hluttaw in Nay Pyi Taw. It called on the government to take appropriate measures regarding the ASEAN FivePoint Statement, saying it undermines Myanmar’s equal status within ASEAN, interferes in the country’s internal affairs, and no longer corresponds to current political realities.

A total of 553 of the 560 eligible lawmakers attended the session, meeting the required quorum before debate began.

During the discussion, lawmakers from both houses largely supported the motion, arguing that ASEAN should reassess its position on Myanmar following political developments and the formation of a new elected government.

U Thet Naing Oo, MP for Hpa-an Constituency, said some ASEAN members had acted contrary to the bloc’s founding principles and the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence by interfering in Myanmar’s internal affairs. He urged ASEAN to better understand developments in Myanmar and suggested that continued discrimination against the country could even prompt consideration of Myanmar’s future membership in the regional bloc.

U Myo (aka U Myo Aung), MP for Pyay Constituency, said ASEAN’s charter guarantees equal rights for all member states and argued that Myanmar should enjoy the same representation and voice as other members. While acknowledging ASEAN’s assistance over the years, he said the organization risked losing credibility if it failed to uphold its own principles.

Daw Than Than Aye, MP for Thingangyun Constituency, argued that ASEAN’s position was based on incomplete or misleading information about Myanmar. She said the government should continue engaging ASEAN through dialogue while clearly explaining developments in the country.

Daw Soe Soe Myint, Amyotha Hluttaw representative for Mon State Constituency 12, said ASEAN should base its approach on mutual respect, constructive dialogue and agreed regional principles. She urged the bloc to assess Myanmar fairly while respecting the sovereignty and dignity of all member states.

U Hla Swe, MP for Pobbathiri Constituency, argued that the Five-Point Statement is a political understanding rather than a legally binding treaty and noted that it contains no provision barring Myanmar from attending ASEAN meetings. He warned that prolonged exclusion could weaken regional cooperation and create opportunities for external powers to expand their influence.

Dr Kyaw Swe, MP for Taungdwingyi Constituency, said the statement was adopted in April 2021 as a temporary framework to address the crisis at that time. He argued that there was no longer sufficient legal or political justification for treating it as a permanent framework and called for it to be revised or replaced to reflect current realities.

U Aung Thiha, Amyotha Hluttaw representative for Yangon Region Constituency 5, said any differences between the consensus and ASEAN’s charter should be addressed through the bloc’s established dispute-settlement mechanisms rather than political pressure. He also proposed sending Parliament’s position to the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), ASEAN member parliaments and the ASEAN Secretariat through diplomatic channels.

Other lawmakers supporting the motion included U Soe Thu (Chaungzon Constituency), U Naing Win (Kyauktan Constituency), U Pyone Cho (Ayeyawady Region Amyotha Hluttaw Constituency 7), U Soe Min San (Mon State Amyotha Hluttaw Constituency 9) and Daw Khin Saw Mu (Kangyidaunt Constituency). They argued that the Five-Point Statement had become outdated after more than five years and called for ASEAN to reassess or amend the framework while respecting Myanmar’s sovereignty and equal rights as a member state.

Responding to the debate, Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Tin Maung Swe said Myanmar had undergone significant political changes since the consensus was adopted in 2021. He said more than 13.13 million of the country’s 24.23 million eligible voters participated in the general election held between December 2025 and January 2026, resulting in a voter turnout of 54.22 per cent. He described the election as free and fair, saying it was observed by international election monitoring groups and that no major irregularities had been reported.

The Union minister said a new parliament and government elected through the polls had now been formed, and Myanmar’s representatives had continued explaining these political developments at ASEAN meetings.

According to the Union minister, discussions at the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, the Philippines, in May 2026 showed that many ASEAN leaders had acknowledged Myanmar’s latest political developments and adopted a more constructive approach than in previous years.

He also noted that, since the new government took office, the foreign ministers of Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Laos had visited Myanmar, with more ASEAN ministerial visits expected in the coming months. Myanmar has also been invited to attend an upcoming informal meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers.

The Union minister highlighted recent diplomatic engagements by President U Min Aung Hlaing, including visits to China, India and Laos. He said Chinese President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith had expressed support for Myanmar’s efforts towards peace, stability and development, as well as recognition of the country’s recent election.

U Tin Maung Swe said ASEAN members currently held differing views on Myanmar, with some maintaining tougher positions while others had adopted more flexible and positive approaches. He added that Myanmar would continue strengthening bilateral relations with individual ASEAN members while working to restore normal engagement with the regional bloc.

He said the Foreign Ministry would continue pursuing diplomacy based on Myanmar’s national interests, sovereignty, the 2008 Constitution and the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, to restore Myanmar’s full role and participation within ASEAN.

Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Speaker U Aung Lin Dwe then sought the opinion of the motion’s proposer. After the proposer requested that the motion be approved, the Speaker put it to the Hluttaw for a decision. As there were no objections, the motion was approved, and the Speaker announced that the relevant authorities would proceed with its implementation.

The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw then adjourned its seventh-day sitting and announced that the eighthday session will be held on 14 July.

Before the debate, the Speaker also informed lawmakers that the Anti-Online Scam Bill, submitted by the Union Government Office, had been debated by both the Amyotha and Pyithu Hluttaw representatives. As the two chambers adopted different amendments and failed to reach agreement, the bill has been referred to the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw for further deliberation and a final resolution.

MNA/ST

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