Yangon – Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia H.E. Mr Prak Sokhonn, who is appointed as ASEAN Special Envoy, has touched down in Myanmar this morning to kick off his four-day visit to the war-torn country and already met with the junta leader as soon as he and his entourage arrives in Naypyidaw, 21 March 2022.
During the meeting, the coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, appointed himself Prime Minister and Chairman of State Administrative Council (SAC), which he formed in early of the coup in February 2021, said he is carrying out his national duties in line with the 2008 Constitution which was designed by the Tatmadaw (military) led by former military dictator Than Shwe.
In attempts to provide the visiting ASEAN Special envoy and his associates with reasons why the junta leader staged the coup, the Tatmadaw’s Chief said that he has to stage the coup because of the electoral fraud in the 2020 November election, which was not backed up by independent and international observers who were present during the last election.
The junta leader continues to defend himself during the meeting by saying that the protest against the coup had occurred because of the different political views from which it ensued terrorism acts, indiscriminate killings, destroying public schools and buildings, and planting landmines.
Chindwin has learned that the junta leader is attempting to explain to the Cambodian Foreign Minister H.E Mr Prak Sokhonn to save his face that the coup leader is working hard to implement the ASEAN’s Five Consensus that was agreed on in April 2021 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Mr Prak Sokhonn is accompanied by H.E Kitti Setta Pandita Cham Prasidh, Minister for Science and Innovation of Cambodia, H.E. Dato Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary-General of ASEAN and the Cambodian Ambassador to Myanmar, H.E. Mr Chhouk Bunna.
The junta says the ASEAN Special Envoy will meet with other political parties, but no further details such as who and which political parties will attend are provided.
Although the smiles and warm welcome, whether the ASEAN Special Envoy will be granted to meet with State Counsellor – Aung San Suu Kyi or representatives of National Unity Government remains in question as the junta does not issue any media statement on this matter.