I would like to express my deepest thanks and gratitude to the fine example Malaysia has set for ASEAN and the world, and for the care and solidarity they have shown the people of Myanmar in these dark times. Speaking on behalf of the Myanmar people, I can say that seeing Malaysia push for the ASEAN 5 points and hearing Malaysia speak out on the need to exclude the genocidal military from the ASEAN summit fills us with hope. Through actions such as these we know that the international community, and crucially our ASEAN partners, have heard our cries and understand our plight. 

It shows us that despite the military’s efforts at propaganda and suppression, the governments of the world can see through the charade and know that the military is illegitimate and does not represent the people of Myanmar, nor do they have the support or trust of the people. Indeed, so egregious was the coup in February that, legal scholars have concluded that the seizure of power was illegal even by the 2008 constitution, which was written by the military themselves. In detaining a healthy and competent president at gunpoint, replacing him with a military candidate whose sole purpose was to hand power to the military, Min Aung Hlaing and his backers violated not only the most fundamental laws of the nation, but attacked the very heart of Myanmar’s democratic institution.

It is thus, more important than ever that governments refuse to grant the illegal coup the legitimacy the military desperately crave. Malaysia has so far played an important role in preventing the military from normalising their brutal regime as a legitimate government and now also seeing Malaysia argue for a reevaluation of the ASEAN non-interference policy, it is clear that Malaysia is committed to protecting and defending people and democratic principles within ASEAN, and for this, again, Malaysia has our deepest thanks.

However, refusing to recognise the military is not enough. The people of Myanmar need and deserve a voice on the world stage. As the democratic representatives of the Myanmar people, it is imperative that foreign governments recognise and engage with the NUG. To fail to do so is to refuse the Myanmar people any avenue through which they can plead their case to the international community, and condemns a nation of 54 million to the same isolationism the military would inevitably plunge the country into. Myanmar needs to be open, and needs to engage with her global partners and allies, and it is only through the NUG that this can be achieved.

To this end, I would like to formally extend an invitation to the foreign minister of Malaysia. I believe that it is in the interests of both of our nations for us to meet and discuss the ongoing crisis in Myanmar. Malaysia’s advocacy for democracy, stability, and human rights in the months since the military seizure of power have shown her to be a friend of the Myanmar people and an important voice for peace. We hope that by engaging with the NUG, Malaysia can open the door for the other ASEAN nations to do likewise. In this way, the military will lose all hope of legitimacy, and will then have no recourse but to transition power back to the people. Diplomatic relations with the NUG mark the beginning of the end of the military’s reign of terror.

Sincerely,

H.E. Dr. Sasa
Union Minister of Ministry of International Cooperation
Spoke Person of Nation Unity Government
Former Special Envoy to United Nations