Malaysia's chairmanship of Asean has been met with both hope and concern. While Anwar Ibrahim's human rights background suggests a positive shift, the appointment of Cambodia's former prime minister Hun Sen as a personal advisor raises serious doubts. Hun Sen's history of authoritarianism and suppression of democratic freedoms contradicts the organization's stated goals.
Malaysia assumed the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( Asean ) this month with the goal of promoting political stability and economic prosperity for its members. The organization, which has faced internal divisions in recent years, appeared to be transitioning towards a more stable and human rights -focused leadership under Anwar Ibrahim , a prominent human rights advocate.
However, recent developments concerning Anwar's senior team appointments have raised significant concerns. The inclusion of Cambodia's former prime minister Hun Sen as a 'personal adviser' to the Malaysian premier is particularly alarming. Hun Sen, known for his authoritarian tendencies and suppression of democratic freedoms during his almost four-decade rule in Cambodia, presents a stark contrast to the anticipated shift towards human rights protection and democratic principles under Malaysia's Asean leadership. Hun Sen's methods of consolidating power involved widespread suppression of dissent, dismantling of opposition parties, imprisonment and exile of political opponents, and control over media to maintain a political monopoly. His legacy in Cambodia is marred by allegations of human rights abuses, including the recent assassination of Lim Kimya, a former opposition lawmaker living in exile in France, which bears the hallmarks of transnational aggression that characterized his regime and continues under his son, Prime Minister Hun Manet.Supporters of the Cambodian regime argue that Hun Sen's appointment could contribute to 'peace' in Myanmar, a country engulfed in a bloody civil war since February 2021. However, these claims are undermined by his history of supporting authoritarian regimes and silencing dissent. Hun Sen's 2022 visit to Myanmar, where he met with junta leader Min Aung Hlaing and failed to engage with any democratic leaders, including the detained Aung San Suu Kyi, demonstrated his prioritization of the military junta over the aspirations of the Myanmar people. This visit was widely condemned for legitimizing the junta and jeopardizing pan-Asian efforts to pressure the regime to end the ongoing violence. Hun Sen's previous tenure as Asean chairman was characterized by division within the organization and emboldening of authoritarian actors in the region. While the Asean was established in 1967 to prevent disputes among member-states and to counter communism, it has since evolved to play a crucial role in regional security issues. Following the Myanmar coup, Asean members developed a Five-Point Consensus aimed at achieving a cessation of violence, inclusive national dialogue, and humanitarian assistance. However, these efforts have been largely unsuccessful, and the civil war in Myanmar persists, fueled by forced conscription. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reported 5,350 civilian deaths at the hands of the junta since 2021, while the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners reported 28,096 political arrests and 2 million internally displaced persons. Adding to the complexity, the junta in Myanmar has announced plans to hold elections later this year. This move risks pushing the country further down the path towards authoritarianism, mirroring the situation in Cambodia, where Hun Manet's rule is presented as a continuation of his father's regime. Cambodia's last two national elections, in 2018 and 2023, were held without any recognizable opposition parties. Given this context, there is little hope for credible international election observers to participate in any Myanmar elections. The appointment of Thaksin Shinawatra, the father of current Thai premier Paetongtarn Shinawatra, as an unspecified adviser alongside Hun Sen, along with Thailand's warm reception of Myanmar's Foreign Minister Than Swe in December 2024, raises concerns about Asean's ability to mediate a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Myanmar. Anwar's background and Malaysia's reputation as a progressive force within Asean should inspire optimism. However, the appointments of Hun Sen and Shinawatra suggest a disconnect between the Malaysian premier's stated intentions and his actions. If Malaysia truly aims to foster peace within the Asean region, including in Myanmar, it must prioritize the establishment of transparent and robust mechanisms for assigning special envoys or advisors to the country.
ASEAN Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim Hun Sen Myanmar Human Rights Democracy Authoritarianism
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