Myanmar Domestic News Updates – May 22, 2025 Evening
ππ 1. SAC-M says ASEAN Five-Point Consensus has effectively become obsolete
May 22
The Special Advisory Council for Myanmar (SAC-M) has stated that the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar should now be regarded as obsolete and no longer relevant.
This statement was issued in a joint release by three former UN experts on Myanmar, including Malaysia’s former Foreign Minister Dato’ Sri Saifuddin Abdullah, all of whom were involved in the founding of SAC-M.
The statement welcomed Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s meeting with National Unity Government (NUG) Prime Minister Mann Win Khaing Than on April 18, describing it as a significant step in engaging with Myanmar’s legitimate political representatives.
As a result of this engagement, channels were reportedly opened for the delivery of emergency humanitarian aid following the March 28 Sagaing earthquake.
The former Malaysian Foreign Minister and the three ex-UN Myanmar experts emphasized that further meetings between the ASEAN Chair and the NUG are essential before the upcoming ASEAN Summit later this month.
They also pointed out that the intention behind the meeting between coup leader and alleged war criminal Min Aung Hlaing and Prime Minister Anwar was only to secure an extension of the junta's unilateral ceasefire—a ceasefire crafted solely for the junta's benefit.
Although Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced that Min Aung Hlaing had pledged to maintain the ceasefire declared on April 2, the SAC-M joint statement noted that this promise was revealed to be a deceptive ploy even before the meeting concluded.
This was consistent with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker TΓΌrk’s remarks affirming that the military junta continues to perpetrate violent acts against civilians without reduction.
The statement stressed that the junta’s strategies and behaviors remain unchanged—using humanitarian aid as a weapon, manipulating access for humanitarian actors, and imposing blockades. For these reasons, the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus should now be considered defunct and irrelevant, the SAC-M stated in its advisory to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Consequently, SAC-M urged Prime Minister Anwar, in his capacity as ASEAN Chair, to take the lead at the upcoming ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur in establishing and adopting a new ASEAN framework for engagement on Myanmar.
The three former UN Myanmar experts and former Malaysian Foreign Minister further urged that Anwar seize this opportunity to restore ASEAN’s damaged credibility and legitimacy regarding the Myanmar crisis—a situation that has eroded ASEAN’s standing for many years.
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ππ 2. Ko Htein Lin invites public to send e-birthday cards for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's 80th birthday
May 22
Ko Htein Lin has extended an invitation to the public to send e-birthday cards in honor of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s 80th birthday.
He said:
“Today, countless families across Myanmar are enduring separation, loss, and daily hardship as part of their everyday reality. Yet, I still believe in hope.
As a tribute to my mother and everything she has believed in, I want to invite everyone to send her an e-birthday card. While it may seem like a small gesture, these cards carry deep meaning—messages of love, gratitude, or encouragement can become a cherished reminder for her that she is not alone.
We’ve designed three beautiful versions of the e-card. Each was lovingly illustrated by Nu Yin, Kyar Pauk, and Chit Thu Wai, all of whom deeply admire and respect her.
Although she cannot read the messages right now, I believe she will still be able to feel the love, support, and gratitude conveyed through these cards.”
All e-birthday cards will be securely preserved online and will be shown to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi upon her release.
“All proceeds from these cards will be used for causes that were always close to her heart—especially child welfare and education.
My mother, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, devoted her entire life to the causes of democracy and human rights in Myanmar. Even a fraction of her life journey reflects that devotion. These cards are a small way we can honor that.”
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ππ 3. PSLF/TNLA Vehicle Registration Department to Begin Issuing Motor Vehicle Licenses
May 22
The Motor Vehicle Registration and Supervision Department under the Palaung State Liberation Front / Ta’ang National Liberation Army (PSLF/TNLA) will begin issuing vehicle registration licenses starting May 25, according to an announcement released today by the PSLF/TNLA’s Information and Public Relations Department.
The department stated that it will carry out first-time registration and licensing for private vehicles, commercial vehicles, passenger vehicles, and cargo trucks.
The process will follow a defined procedure and require submission of the necessary documents as stipulated.
Depending on the type of vehicle, the registration fees and service charges will range between MMK 200,000 and MMK 500,000. The vehicle registration licensing program will run for a period of six months—from May 25 to December 31, the announcement said.
After this period, vehicles that have not been registered will be subject to legal action, the department warned.
Initially, the department will provide registration and licensing services in Namkham and Namhsan townships, which are currently under PSLF/TNLA administration. Once these areas are covered, the process will be extended to other townships, it was reported.
The PSLF/TNLA explained that the purpose of this registration initiative is to systematically regulate vehicle usage and to help reduce issues related to ownership, sale and transfer, accidents, and vehicle theft.
Accordingly, the Motor Vehicle Registration and Supervision Department has announced that it will provide both vehicle registration licenses and driver’s licenses to all vehicle owners and users within the Ta’ang region.
This report was submitted by Radio NUG reporters Tharki and Ko Khant.
#SpringRevolution
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