Southeast Asian foreign ministers hold a closed-doors retreat in Malaysia on Sunday, as the country hosts its first meeting as chair of the regional bloc ASEAN amid an intensifying civil war in Myanmar and confrontations in the South China Sea.

Southeast Asian foreign ministers convene in Malaysia to address pressing regional issues including Myanmar's civil unrest and tensions in the South China Sea. As ASEAN chair, Malaysia pushes for progress amid skepticism about resolving conflicts swiftly.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged Malaysia, as the new Asean chairman, to follow up on the United Nations Security Council’s resolution to impose an arms embargo on the junta-led Myanmar. HRW’s Asia director Elaine Pearson said the move is crucial as the junta continues its “scorched earth” tactics by raining airstrikes at hospitals,

Myanmar remains one of the region’s most pressing challenges, demanding Asean’s collective attention and decisive action to uphold its founding principles of democracy, human rights, constitutional government and regional stability, as enshrined in its charter.

LANGKAWI, Malaysia -- Foreign ministers from ASEAN member countries convene Sunday to discuss this year's priorities for the Southeast Asian bloc, including the Myanmar and South China Sea issues, as the impending return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency adds to global uncertainties.

As Asean Chair, Malaysia is committed to supporting Myanmar in charting a pathway towards a lasting solution to the political and humanitarian crisis

As Asean chair, Malaysia is committed to supporting Myanmar in charting a pathway towards a lasting solution to the political and humanitarian crisis sparked by the February 2021 military coup. Foreign Ministry secretary-general Amran Mohamed Zin affirmed Malaysia's prioritisation of the Myanmar peace process.

Asean is discussing the possibility of appointing a permanent special envoy to address the crisis in Myanmar, the foreign ministry said. “The suggestion for a permanent special envoy has been raised by several Asean member states,

he ongoing Myanmar crisis and tensions in the South China Sea will feature in the discussions at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Langkawi, Malaysia over the weekend, says Malaysian Foreign Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin.

ANKARA – Malaysia will beef up its maritime borders after turning away nearly 300 Rohingya refugees, local media reported on Sunday. The government in the state of Kedah, northwestern Malaysia, which borders Thailand,

"For us, citizenship alone will never be enough. We are calling for a process of reconciliation, reckoning, and truth-telling that fully recognizes our rightful place in Arakan/Rakhine State."

Malaysia's coast guard has escorted two boats carrying nearly 300 undocumented Myanmar migrants from its waters.