PUTRAJAYA, April 18 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has expressed gratitude for the strong commitment shown by the Myanmar's State Administration Council (SAC) Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and the National Unity Government (NUG) Prime Minister Mahn Win Khaing Than towards humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts in the country.
“The spirit shown by both the SAC and the NUG is that the priority must be humanitarian efforts and reconstruction, while they would do whatever is necessary to avoid any extension of the fighting.
“So I take that in good spirit. I am very happy and I thank them, particularly the SAC, which gave a very firm commitment to ensure that our forces, civil society and the military helping out will be given a clear undertaking that it will be a peaceful venture,” he told the press after attending the Finance Ministry’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house today.
Earlier, Min and Mahn pledged to extend the country's ceasefire and ensure humanitarian workers' safety following last month's devastating earthquake.
Anwar said the assurances were given during separate discussions he held with both leaders during his recent working visit to Thailand.
He also held a virtual meeting with Mahn to discuss Myanmar's escalating humanitarian needs.
Myanmar state media reported that the military government has granted amnesty to nearly 4,900 prisoners to mark the country’s traditional New Year, with an independent watchdog noting that at least 22 of those released were political detainees.
Just two days after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on March 28, the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team was deployed to Naypyidaw under Operation Starlight III. The team conducted search and rescue operations and distributed aid.
The Myanmar Meteorological and Hydrological Department has reported 109 aftershocks since the initial quake, including a 6.4-magnitude tremor.
The disaster has left more than 3,600 people dead, over 4,800 injured, and at least 141 still missing.
An estimated nine million people, including 2.7 million children, have been severely affected across 58 East Bago, Kayin, Magway, Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw, Southern Shan and Sagaing townships.
— Bernama
