Asean needs to make big decision about Myanmar, says foreign minister


Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah says progress needs to be made with respect to Myanmar, because Asean is not doing so as it stands. – AFP pic, July 29, 2022.

FOREIGN Minister Saifuddin Abdullah said the Asean Summit in November will need to make a big decision about the five-point consensus (5PC) on Myanmar, whether it should be continued, improved or there should be a replacement.

“There has been no real progress on the 5PC. The violence continues and, in fact, has become worse. There is no inclusive or fair consultation between all key stakeholders in the Asean-junta dialogue. The junta monopolises and politicises humanitarian aid.

“After having met with various key stakeholders (including the NUG and NUCC), and with these efforts still ongoing, Asean needs to have a framework that has an endgame and lay out the processes required to achieve it – a democratic, inclusive and just, peaceful and harmonious, prosperous Myanmar, with civil and political rights guaranteed by a constitution,” he said in his latest post on Facebook, today.

He said, in this context, Asean needs to have accurate and up-to-date information about what is actually happening in Myanmar by obtaining the information directly from those involved.

This is to be followed by an inclusive and fair consultation by all key stakeholders, in order to find a way to implement this framework, including fair and transparent humanitarian aid, transition plans and implementing parties (ceasefire, stabilisation and transition), a people’s constitution, and an election that is free and agreed upon by all, he added.

“Asean needs to play the role of a facilitator together with the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Myanmar, with participation and support from the international community,” he said.

Meanwhile, Saifuddin said Malaysia will bring up two matters at the Asean foreign ministers’ meeting in Phnom Penh on August 3: first Myanmar should not be allowed to send political representatives to any Asean ministerial meetings and second, a framework to implement the 5PC is to be discussed.

In April 2021, Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing agreed to implement the 5PC, which called for immediate cessation of violence, hold dialogues with all key stakeholders, appointment of a special envoy to facilitate mediation and for the delegation to visit and meet with stakeholders in Myanmar, and to allow Asean to provide humanitarian assistance to people in Myanmar.

Since the coup on February 1, 2021, at least 2,000 people have been killed in Myanmar by the self-styled state administration council (SAC), led by Min, in its campaign to suppress the widespread opposition to military rule.

The latest, last weekend, the junta executed four pro-democracy activists drawing worldwide condemnation. – Bernama, July 29, 2022.


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