Malaysia does not support elections that Myanmar military junta plans for next year, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah said Tuesday.

Malaysian news agency Bernama quoted the foreign minister as saying that the junta has amended some election rules that is seen as biased and not approved by other stakeholders.

He said Malaysia is committed to ensuring that Myanmar returns as a democratic country, to be more stable in the future.

Malaysia is among ASEAN countries that have been most vocal about the crisis in Myanmar.

“It is not morally right for the junta government to talk about the elections because the previous elections held in Myanmar were recognised as being largely free and fair by international observers,” he said at a press conference via Facebook Live.

He recalled that the National League of Democracy led by Aung San Suu Kyi won the elections. “But before they could convene Parliament, the junta took over power…therefore, it is completely illogical for Malaysia and ASEAN to support the election,” he said.

Bernama also reported that Saifuddin earlier held a video conference with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres during which he requested the latter’s cooperation for the establishment of a humanitarian donor forum to raise funds to help Myanmar people.

The forum was proposed by Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) which leads the opposition to the military junta.  Saifuddin said  there are now many non-governmental organizations that want to channel humanitarian aid to Myanmar people, but refused to cooperate with the Myanmar junta.

To solve the problem, he said Malaysia supports NUG’s proposal that a forum consisting of various countries be set up.