Jakarta. Indonesia expressed its readiness to speak with all stakeholders, including the military junta, in a bid to stop the violence and deliver humanitarian aid in strife-torn Myanmar. 

But these engagements do not equal recognition, the ASEAN chair said.

“Indonesia is ready to talk with anyone, including the junta and all other stakeholders in Myanmar for humanitarian interests. Engagement does not mean recognition,” President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo told a press briefing on the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo on Thursday.

It is also crucial for ASEAN to continue the push for an inclusive dialogue as mandated by the five-point consensus.

“We must strongly hold onto inclusivity because ASEAN’s credibility is at stake,” Jokowi said.

According to Jokowi, ASEAN really needs to unite so no one can break the bloc apart.

“We cannot let anyone, be it within or outside ASEAN, take advantage of Myanmar’s internal conflict. We have to stop the violence and protect the people,” Jokowi added.

Earlier today at the summit’s retreat session, Jokowi expressed his disappointment at Myanmar's failure to make any significant progress in the five-point peace plan. Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi told reporters that other Southeast Asian leaders had also echoed similar sentiments. 

Since 2021, ASEAN has barred the junta from its top-level meetings after the latter defied the five-point peace plan. The 42nd ASEAN Summit also saw Myanmar’s seat unoccupied. 

“The lack of progress on the five-point consensus implementation does not mean ASEAN has to give up. Especially giving up the principles in the ASEAN Charter,” Retno said.

Retno then went on to say that the regional grouping is bound by the ASEAN Charter, among others, to adhere to the principles of democracy and good governance. 

“As stated by President Jokowi and other ASEAN leaders, the future and relevance of ASEAN would be determined by respect of these principles,” the senior diplomat said.

Over the past four months of its ASEAN chairmanship, Indonesia has held over 60 engagements with Myanmar stakeholders, including the military junta. ASEAN leaders on Wednesday issued a statement condemning the recent attack on the bloc’s humanitarian convoy in Myanmar.

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