By Vijian Paramasivam
PHNOM PENH June 1 (Bernama) -- The Myanmar government has extended the temporary ceasefire, which expired on Saturday, until June 30 to facilitate reconstruction and to prepare for the general elections.
The Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services said on Sunday that reconstruction of damaged government offices, public residences and transport facilities in the earthquake-affected areas is in progress.
“The Tatmadaw (armed forces) extends the temporary ceasefire period from June 1 to 30, 2025 to facilitate rehabilitation and reconstruction activities in earthquake-affected areas.
“To hold a free and fair multi-party democracy general election successfully, to serve the interest of the entire nation and people with greater acceleration, to achieve genuine and long-lasting peace and in view of peace and stability,” according to a statement posted on the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services’ website.
The government plans to hold elections either at the end of this year or in January 2026.
There was mounting regional pressure on the Myanmar government to extend the ceasefire to allow humanitarian aid to reach those impacted by the March 28 earthquake.
In April, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim held talks with military leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and the National Unity Government to pause the conflict on humanitarian grounds.
In the just-concluded 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur from May 26 to 27, regional leaders also urged for an extended and expanded ceasefire to allow aid delivery without any hindrance and for peace to prevail nationwide.
Nearly 3,700 people have lost their lives in the natural disaster and thousands were made homeless when the 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck on March 28.
-- BERNAMA
