‘Our priorities are democracy & peace’: Myanmar’s new President Min Aung Hlaing vows ASEAN normalcy

Myanmar’s newly sworn-in President Min Aung Hlaing said on Friday that his government has “many challenges to overcome” and would seek to normalise ties with the Southeast Asian bloc ASEAN, as he delivered his first inauguration address to parliament.“Myanmar is now well on its way toward democracy but the new government has a lot of challenges to overcome,” Min Aung Hlaing said in the speech in the capital Naypyitaw, which lasted less than 20 minutes and was attended by more than 50 foreign guests.“Our priorities are democracy and peace,” he added.

‘Enhance international relations’

The former junta chief said his government would work to strengthen Myanmar’s standing on the global stage.“We will enhance international relations and strive to restore normal relations with ASEAN,” he said.The coup in 2021 and the ensuing crackdown by the military under Min Aung Hlaing’s command led to an intervention by the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which later barred the junta leadership from attending its summits.

Roadmap based on democracy and federalism

Min Aung Hlaing said his government would focus on spurring foreign investment, developing agriculture, and forming effective, long-term strategic plans.“The new government will implement a roadmap based on democracy and federalism,” he said.

Transition from general to president

Min Aung Hlaing was elected president by parliament a week ago, formalising his grip on political power in war-torn Myanmar five years after he led a coup that sent the nation spiralling into chaos.His carefully choreographed journey from top general to civilian president follows a recent election won in a landslide by an army-backed party, but derided by critics and Western governments as a sham designed to perpetuate military rule behind a veneer of democracy.