Anwar plots peace deal

Malaysian Prime Minister and Asean chair Anwar Ibrahim said yesterday he will meet Myanmar’s isolated junta chief in Bangkok this week to push for the extension of a ceasefire between the military government and rebel groups to help earthquake relief.

- AGENCIES AND BANGKOK POST

As the chair of the regional Asean bloc this year, Mr Anwar said the meeting with Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing on Thursday was being held on humanitarian grounds, as there were no forthcoming formal engagements between Myanmar and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

More than 3,600 people were killed in the March 28 disaster which destroyed more than 5,000 buildings, according to official figures, and left more than two million in need of assistance, said the UN.

Myanmar’s junta announced a ceasefire following the magnitude-7.7 quake, although monitors say fighting has continued.

Mr Anwar said he would appeal for the truce to continue beyond its April 22 expiry date.

“I thank Gen Min Aung Hlaing for responding positively to our call.... During my meeting with him, I will push for the ceasefire to be extended,” Mr Anwar said.

“We are sending our rescue team there, so we want to ensure safety,” he said, adding the purpose of the meeting was to “facilitate humanitarian aid in light of the severe earthquake disaster”