Malaysia-Mynmar (Burma) relations since 1957

Abstract

This paper attempts to discuss and analyze the factors that have influenced Malaysia's relations with Myanmar (formerly Burma) since 1957. It may appear that Malaysian policy makers only started paying attention to relations with Myanmar towards the late-1980s and the early 1990s. Contrary to this, available evidence suggest that Malaysia in fact had cordial relations with Myanmar even in the late-1950s and into the early 1970s namely during the premiership of U Nu (1948-1962) and the early years of General Ne Win's military rule (1962-1988). This was namely due to Myanmar's active role in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) as well as its unilaterally declared policy of neutrality that became a useful tool for

Malaysian policy makers namely within the context of the Cold War. However, with the country's self- imposed isolation and its move towards socialism in the 1970s, Malaysia began distancing itself from Myanmar. Other factors that necessitated such a stance included the changing nature of the regional environment as well as Malaysia's own foreign policy priorities. As such, during much of the 1970s and into the 1980s, Malaysia's relations with Myanmar reached its lowest ebb. However, the nature of relations began changing in the late-1980s and early 1980s when Malaysia began advocating Myanmar's admission into ASEAN in spite of the country's poor human rights record as well as some reservations from other ASEAN members about the latter's admission. Available evidence suggests that this change was mainly driven by Malaysia's economic priorities and especially its attempt to capitalize on Myanmar's open-door policy. As such, Malaysia advocated a non-interventionist stand when it came to Myanmar's poor human rights record even to the extent that the former came under much criticism from many quarters. It was often said that a "special relationship" existed between the former Malaysian Premier, Tun Mahathir, and the military junta in Myanmar. In spite of a change in leadership in 2003, Malaysia has continued with its earlier stand towards Myanmar although on several occasions it has called on the latter to improve its human rights record as well as to undertake political change.