Analysts say Indonesia is ‘proactive’ but ‘slow’ response to ASEAN chair Myanmar

“I hope … they will not only revitalize the pro-democracy forces, especially in the West, but also reach out to more appeasement forces (to Myanmar’s military) in Thailand to maintain ASEAN unity and course correction. I hope to,” he said.

He added that new attempts must be made to bring China, Japan and South Korea on board, as well as neighboring countries that border Myanmar.

These countries, along with organizations investing in Myanmar, are likely to make more persuasions to Myanmar’s military and other actors on the ground.

“This is probably what ASEAN should try to do to move forward on this very difficult and lingering issue,” he said.

ASEAN is ‘ineffective’

ASEAN has been seen as an important framework for dialogue and finding a way forward from crises and violence, but it has been “ineffective,” said Thitinan Ponsudirak of the Center for Security and International Studies, Chulalongkorn University. the professor said.

“The ASEAN Five-Point Consensus is not working. Indonesia has a chair country, abounds with hype and hope, but it is very slow and not moving forward,” he said.

Professor Ponsdirac said it was “unlikely” that ASEAN would change its strategy, and said there were currently many “global grievances” about the regional bloc.

“Initially, the international community entrusted ASEAN to deal with the coup d’état and crisis in Myanmar. I don’t think so,” he told CNA’s Asia Now on Thursday.

Consensus on 5 points

Indonesia dismissed the presidency Earlier this year, with the crisis in Myanmar as a priority. Key to Jakarta’s plan was the implementation of a five-point consensus.

The consensus is ASEAN’s peace plan for Myanmar, agreed by all 10 leaders in Jakarta in April 2021, two months after the military coup.

Myanmar’s military government has failed to honor parts of the peace agreement, including an immediate cessation of violence, for nearly two years, while Indonesia has in the past three months Facilitated the resumption of communication and consultation With various “stakeholders” regarding humanitarian aid to Myanmar.

This will enable the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Center) to provide assistance to people in need in Myanmar, regardless of their ethnic background, religion or political orientation. .

Providing assistance through the AHA Center is one of the five points of agreement. Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi called the development a breakthrough.