■ ASEAN urges Myanmar to prioritize peace efforts

The ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat was held on January 19 in Langkawi, Malaysia, Bangkok Post reported.

ASEAN countries urged the Myanmar government to prioritize dialogue and negotiations and to work towards ending armed conflicts on January 19.

ASEAN nations called on Myanmar's representatives attending the meeting to ensure a halt to all attacks by armed groups in Myanmar and to allow humanitarian aid, according to Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hassan.

"Malaysia wants to know what Myanmar’s plans are," Hassan said during a press conference following the ASEAN ministerial meeting held in Langkawi.

Malaysia announced the appointment of former diplomat Osman Hashim as its special envoy to Myanmar.

The United Nations has stated that nearly 20 million people in Myanmar, over one-third of the population, are in dire need of humanitarian aid.

Hassan mentioned that Osman would travel to Myanmar soon.

Osman will urge all relevant parties in Myanmar to implement ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus on the Myanmar issue.

"We want Myanmar to adhere to ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus, cease hostilities, and engage in dialogue and negotiations. It's very simple. We also want to ensure that humanitarian aid can be provided to Myanmar," Hassan stated.