Jakarta. The military-ruled Myanmar finally sent someone to an ASEAN meeting on Monday after refusing to pick a non-political representation numerous times. 

The Southeast Asian grouping has banned the Myanmar ruling generals --including military-appointed ministers -- from its meetings. ASEAN still allows Myanmar to send what it calls a “non-political representative” to attend its high-level gatherings. Myanmar had been declining the offer, thus often leaving its seat empty. But Monday's ASEAN ministerial retreat in Laos saw Marlar Than Htike, a permanent secretary of Myanmar's foreign affairs ministry, joining. 

According to Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Myanmar’s attendance did not mean that ASEAN’s stance on excluding the junta had changed. 

“ASEAN’s decision to not invite a political-level representative still stands. This time, Myanmar decided to send a representative at a non-political level, namely a permanent secretary at the foreign ministry,” Retno said in a recorded press statement. 

“Once again, Myanmar had a non-political level representative,” Retno said.

Retno then went on to say that the meeting had discussed the Myanmar crisis,  including the five-point peace plan that calls for a constructive dialogue and a cessation of violence, among others. 

“Indonesia hopes that there will be no permissive actions that can hamper or cause a setback to the implementation of the five-point consensus. We need to make sure that any engagement with the stakeholders is done carefully, so it will not be politically capitalized by certain stakeholders,” Retno said.

Indonesia, Laos, and Malaysia have formed a troika to cool down the Myanmar crisis. These countries are the previous, current, and incoming ASEAN chairs. Retno said she hoped the troika discussions were not limited consultations.

"... [But the troika] should also help coordinate humanitarian aid and an inclusive dialogue," Retno said. 

While the five-point consensus remains ASEAN's main reference in addressing the crisis, the group still hopes to see a Myanmar-owned and led comprehensive political resolution, according to the retreat's joint press statement. 

ASEAN has barred the junta from its meetings after they failed to implement the five-point consensus as casualties continue to rise. The human rights organization Assistance Association for Political Prisoners reported Monday that at least 4,453 people have been killed by the junta and pro-military groups since the coup erupted on Feb. 1, 2021.

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