Malaysia Assumes 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship with Commemorative Stamps: A Note for Burmanica Collectors

On January 1, 2025, Malaysia officially took over the ASEAN chairmanship, marking its fifth time leading the regional bloc since ASEAN’s founding in 1967. To commemorate this occasion, Malaysia issued two special stamps and a miniature sheet, celebrating its leadership role.

For Burmanica collectors, a key highlight of this issue is the depiction of the Myanmar flag on the margin of both the stamp sheet and miniature sheet, alongside the flags of other ASEAN member nations.

Additionally, official First Day Covers (FDCs) and Maximum Cards were released. One of the maxicard designs features the Myanmar flag, making it a notable item for collectors. While the flag does not appear directly on the stamp itself, its presence on the margin adds significant value to the Burmanica collection.

This issue presents a great opportunity for collectors of ASEAN-themed philately.

22nd Olympic Games of 1980

Burma Post issued a set of three stamps featuring sports to commemorate the 22nd Olympic Games, commonly known as the Moscow Olympic Stamps. These stamps were released on 21 July 1980 and printed by Wazi Security Printing Works in Myanmar. The stamps were produced using the offset lithography printing method, perforated at 14, and measured 42 x 30 mm. Each sheet comprised 50 stamps arranged in 5 columns and 10 rows, printed on unwatermarked white wove paper with white gum.

The issue was delayed by two days, originally scheduled for 19 July 1980, due to international political controversy surrounding the games, particularly the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. However, all first-day covers (FDCs) were pre-canceled with the date 19 July 1980 before the actual release.

77th Anniversary of Independence Day

On 4th Jan 2025, Myanmar Post issued a set of stamps comprising of three stamps to commemorate 77th anniversary of Independence Day.  Myanmar Post sold three types of covers with cachets (same designs as the stamps issued).  Starting from this issue, Myanmar Post increased the price of cacheted envelopes to 600 Kyats per pcs.

Technical Details of Stamps

Date of Issue : 4 January 2025
Printer : Security Printing Works (Myanmar)
Printing Process : Offset
Stamp Size and Format : 42 mm x 30 mm (Horizontal)
Color : 4
Perforation : 14
Denomination : K200
Sheet Composition :  50 Stamps per Sheet
Quantity : 200,000 pc per design
Stamp Designers : Ministry of Information

FDCs

Official FDC 1

Official FDC 2

Official FDC 3

Private FDC by U Sein Minn