Myanmar’s newly appointed government appears more receptive to regional recommendations than its predecessor, Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said on Thursday, as Southeast Asian nations continue efforts to engage with the conflict-ridden country’s military-backed administration.

Myanmar junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing assumed the presidency and formed a new cabinet in April following an election that saw a pro-military party claim a sweeping victory. The election was widely criticized by opposition groups and Western governments as lacking credibility and failing to represent a genuine return to civilian rule.

Speaking in Malaysia’s parliament, Mohamad said he met Myanmar Foreign Affairs Minister Tin Maung Swe in Naypyitaw last month, where discussions focused on progress in implementing ASEAN’s five-point consensus — a peace roadmap agreed upon by Myanmar’s military leaders and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) after the 2021 coup triggered nationwide protests and an armed resistance movement.

According to Reuters, the five-point consensus has made little progress since its adoption, with Myanmar’s military authorities largely refusing to engage with opposition groups that they have labeled as “terrorists.”

Mohamad said he also raised concerns over the release of political prisoners and efforts to address the plight of Rohingya refugees, many of whom have sought shelter in Malaysia after fleeing violence and persecution in Myanmar.

“I see that the Myanmar side this time seemed more open to the suggestions that were expressed compared to our previous interaction, when Malaysia was the chair of ASEAN last year,” Mohamad told lawmakers.

He added that ASEAN leaders had tasked the bloc’s foreign ministers with exploring ways to strengthen cooperation with Myanmar in implementing the peace plan, including possible revisions to the framework.

“If we need to adjust, we will adjust, but it will need to be approved by all the ASEAN leaders before any changes,” he said.

Myanmar has remained mired in conflict since the military seized power in February 2021, with fighting continuing between the armed forces and a broad coalition of pro-democracy resistance groups and ethnic armed organizations. Efforts by ASEAN to broker peace have so far yielded limited results.

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