Senior General Min Aung Hlaing unveiled that the government has issued 27 statements to ensure a ceasefire since 2018. Acting President and State Security and Peace Commission Chairman of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Senior General Min Aung Hlaing received Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, at the Tatmadaw Guesthouse in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning.

At the meeting, the Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs said that he was delighted to see the preparations and efforts of Myanmar to hold the multiparty democratic general election. He guaranteed that ASEAN will emphasize the best cooperation with Myanmar in its endeavours. He advised that the election should be all-inclusive and vowed to send election observation teams to Myanmar.

In his discussions, the Acting President and SSPC Chairman of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar expressed his pleasure at the visit of the Malaysian Minister for Foreign Affairs to Myanmar. Preparations for holding a multiparty democratic general election were announced as early as 2024. The government has worked to ensure that political parties and individuals with differing political views have had sufficient time to prepare for the election. Registration of political parties has also been carried out in accordance with the law. In the upcoming election, 57 political parties that comply with legal requirements will compete, with over 5,000 candidates running.

With regard to the peace process, the Acting President and SSPC Chairman of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar continued that efforts have also been made to invite ethnic armed organizations to pursue the political path and achieve peace. Since 2018, 27 statements have been issued to ensure a ceasefire. Furthermore, three invitations have been extended to individuals involved in terrorist acts due to political differences, encouraging them to participate in the political process. On the 15th of this month, a ceremony marking the anniversary of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement-NCA will be held. Leaders from NCA signatory ethnic armed organizations, as well as some leaders from NCA non-signatory groups, along with international observers, will attend the event.

Both sides frankly exchanged views on political progress in Myanmar, plans to use Myanmar Electronic Voting Machines to cast votes to ensure a free and fair election, holding of the elections in portions, invitation extended to election observation teams from neighbouring countries and international community, a plan of walking on the path of democracy in Myanmar, positive cooperation of Myanmar in ASEAN community, cooperation in humanitarian aid process, and promotion of cooperation with the international community.

Also, present at the meeting were Commission Secretary and Joint Executive Chief General Ye Win Oo, and Commission member and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe. The Malaysian Minister for Foreign Affairs was accompanied by Tan Sri Othman Hashim, Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chair on Myanmar and officials.

MNA/TTA

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