According to military sources in Naypyidaw, coup leader Min Aung Hlaing is planning to grant amnesty to prisoners during Myanmar’s traditional New Year period, reportedly aiming to gain recognition and praise from ASEAN. Min Aung Hlaing, who is scheduled to meet with ASEAN leaders in Bangkok, Thailand on April 17 following an invitation from ASEAN Chair and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, is expected to announce the amnesty on Myanmar New Year’s Day.
Military sources in Naypyidaw have revealed that while the majority of those receiving amnesty will be criminal prisoners, some political prisoners might also be included in connection with the ASEAN meeting. However, they confirmed that State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint are not included in the planned amnesty program. The sources indicate that this move is strategically timed to coincide with both the traditional New Year celebrations and the upcoming ASEAN leadership meeting.
The meeting led by ASEAN Chair Anwar Ibrahim will primarily focus on discussing ceasefire arrangements and humanitarian assistance for earthquake-affected regions. ASEAN has officially stated that it continues to maintain its Five-Point Consensus on resolving the Myanmar crisis. The organization’s approach to addressing Myanmar’s situation and how this meeting might impact the fundamental rights and democratic demands of Myanmar’s people remains under close observation. The timing of the amnesty announcement appears to be calculated to influence ASEAN’s perception of the military council’s actions, though it remains to be seen whether this will affect the regional bloc’s stance on Myanmar’s ongoing crisis.
