They did so anyway, and the army, as good as its word, killed 141 of them on the bloodiest day since the coup. All rights reserved. ASEAN has convening power over a plethora of summits that bring world and regional leaders together, notably at the annual ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit. Indonesia urges ASEAN leaders to hold summit on Myanmar coup. One almost … Far worse would be if prolonged internal conflict turned Myanmar into a failed state where China, America and India fought via proxies, and refugees flocked for sanctuary to neighbouring countries. In a Facebook post on Thursday (11 Mar), Mr Png, who is currently a member of the … Yet the downward spiral in Myanmar represents a grave challenge to ASEAN‘s centrality. But its authoritarian members do not want to stand up for democracy. In 2008 the callous ineptitude of the junta of the day compounded a humanitarian crisis caused by a devastating cyclone. As Aaron Connelly of the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Singapore points out, America and China are careful to show a degree of respect to ASEAN’s interests. There is a precedent. ASEAN will lose relevance if it ignores the coup in Myanmar, Bhutan vaccinated almost all adults against covid-19 in a week, Asia’s air bridges and travel bubbles will expand only slowly, China tries to nick another speck in the sea from the Philippines. Not least, President Joe Biden and his administration may come under intense domestic pressure to shun ASEAN’s various summits if representatives of Myanmar’s junta are in attendance. The statement suggests that joint action by Washington and Beijing to resolve the crisis in Myanmar is rather unlikely. Charter of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, High Level Task Force (HLTF) on the Drafting of the ASEAN Charter (2007), Eminent Persons Group (EPG) on the ASEAN Charter (2006), ASEAN Committees in Third Countries and International Organizations (ACTCs), Speeches & Statements of the Secretary-General of ASEAN, Speeches & Statements of the Former Secretaries-General of ASEAN, ASEAN Chairman’s Statement on The Developments in The Republic of The Union of Myanmar. (Thailand, Vietnam and Laos all sent representatives to General Min Aung Hlaing’s bash.) The G7 issued a statement condemning the coup, and numerous states have imposed sanctions. But South-East Asia’s modern history is full of horrors, from genocides to coups to civil wars. ASEAN, for its part, issued a statement reiterating the importance of ‘political stability in ASEAN member states’, and ‘encourag[ing] the pursuance of dialogue, reconciliation and the return to normalcy’. In 2008 the generals were stuck up a tree and in search of a ladder. General Min Aung Hlaing is also up a tree, but shows no desire to climb down. ... the coup, which deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her allies. In a statement, the president said he will propose to Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah that the leaders' meeting be held … Moe Thuzar of the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore argues that ASEAN must present itself as “the central platform around which dialogue can coalesce”. Yet given this constraint, the growth to date in ASEAN’s effectiveness is surely remarkable. ASEAN’s success as a grouping has come from aiming low. We reiterate that the political stability in ASEAN Member States is essential to achieving a peaceful, stable and prosperous ASEAN Community. Communist Vietnam and Laos are no friends to democracy. The country that holds the group’s rotating chairmanship, Brunei, is racing to convene one before Ramadan begins in mid-April. We encourage the pursuance of dialogue, reconciliation and the return to normalcy in accordance with the will and interests of the people of Myanmar. THE GENERAL who led a coup against Myanmar’s elected government two months ago celebrated Armed Forces Day in late March with a parade followed by a lavish dinner, fireworks and drones configured to create a night-sky portrait of himself. So form trumps substance. On March 2, ASEAN did hold an informal foreign ministers meeting -- the first major international dialogue involving the Myanmar junta. The “ASEAN way” is all about agreeing never to disagree. Jokowi also called for an emergency ASEAN summit on Myanmar. Cambodia’s Hun Sen rigs elections and oppresses the opposition. Enjoy more audio and podcasts on iOS or Android. Suspending Myanmar’s membership is not something ASEAN’s more authoritarian members are likely to condone. As for geopolitics, the region’s “centrality” has prompted the world to court it. Asean leaders to meet over Myanmar in Jakarta, bloc chair Brunei says In a joint statement with Malaysia, Brunei says both countries have asked senior officials to prepare for the meeting Trying to engage with the junta is the only viable option. ASEAN Member States have been closely following the current developments in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. Its insistence on consensus tends towards the extraordinarily bland or the impossibly vague. This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline "Talking the generals down", A daily email with the best of our journalism, Published since September 1843 to take part in “a severe contest between intelligence, which presses forward, and an unworthy, timid ignorance obstructing our progress.”. “We expressed Asean’s readiness to assist Myanmar in a positive, peaceful and constructive manner,” said a statement by the Asean chair Brunei. Indonesia urges ASEAN leaders to hold summit on Myanmar coup . The recent coup in Myanmar is a chance to let the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ way of quiet diplomacy do its work. While the capital, Naypyidaw, was illuminated for Min Aung Hlaing’s delectation, in nearby Mandalay his goons burned a street vendor alive. Copyright © The Economist Newspaper Limited 2021. Nonetheless, it will be the first presidential statement on Myanmar adopted since 2017 and reflects council unity in trying to reverse the coup. ASEAN persuaded the generals to let it lead a UN-backed rescue mission, which then led to wider engagement. ... the coup, which deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi and her allies. Yet Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia have been unusually unbuttoned in airing concerns. The final statement from the bloc urged “all parties” to refrain from instigating violence. But there is also a difference. Former Member of Parliament (MP) for Hougang SMC Png Eng Huat has called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to firmly condemn the ongoing military coup in Myanmar by means of strong words and cooperative sanctions.. But not all ASEAN members had such strong words for Myanmar’s junta. Extreme blandness is not self-evidently a route to success. The ARF is in August. ... Modern Slavery Statement; To date, more than 500 civilians have died, many of them children. ASEAN’s success as a grouping has come from aiming low. His junta had gone all out to make the day a triumph, including warning Burmese that they risked being shot “in the head and back” if they took to the streets in protest at military rule. Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Friday called for a special ASEAN summit to address the Myanmar situation, as harsh crackdowns on anti-coup protesters continue in the member country. ... of which Myanmar is a member. What that might be is another matter. Its economy is big and fast-growing, with a central role in global supply chains. ASEAN Member States have been closely following the current developments in the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. That is not just Myanmar’s agony, but ASEAN’s too. We recall the purposes and the principles enshrined in the ASEAN Charter, including, the adherence to the principles of democracy, the rule of law and good governance, respect for and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Banyan ASEAN will lose relevance if it ignores the coup in Myanmar. Brunei and Malaysia agreed Monday that ASEAN will hold a special summit in Jakarta to address the Myanmar situation, as harsh crackdowns on anti-coup protesters continue in the member country. Your browser does not support the