LEADERS in South East Asia have asked the Burmese coup junta to stop violence against demonstrators, free political prisoners and restore democracy. “The situation in Myanmar is unacceptable and must not continue. The violence must stop, while democracy, stability and peace must be restored immediately,” the Indonesian prime minister said.
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Joko Widodo spoke at a press conference at the end of the ASEAN emergency summit, which met today in Jakarta to discuss the February 1 coup in Myanmar. The head of the Burmese military junta, General Min Aung Hlaing, attended the ASEAN summit on his first trip abroad after the coup.
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The Indonesian premier stressed that the other participating leaders have asked Myanmar to commit to an end to violence, to open an inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders and to give access to humanitarian aid.
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“We need a meaningful, inclusive and political dialogue that can only come about with the swift and unconditional release of political prisoners,” added Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Muhyiddin Yassin, in a clear reference to Burmese democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi. It was not known what the Burmese general’s response was. The invitation to Min Aung Hlaing was criticized by civil society groups in Myanmar.
The outcome of the summit was “better than expected”, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Muhyiddin Yassin, told the Malaysian news agency “Bernama”. “We succeeded. The result of today’s meeting is beyond our expectations,” he said. “Myanmar has responded well and has not rejected Malaysia’s three proposals,” continued Muhyiddin, referring to his demands on the cessation of violence, the release of political detainees and access to the country for the president and secretary general of the Asean. The Malaysian leader added that the outcome of the summit shows that those who believed that Asean should remain out of the Burmese crisis were wrong.
The summit concluded with a five-point agreement that includes an “immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar and all parties will exercise the utmost restraint”. Secondly, “a constructive dialogue must begin between all the parties concerned to seek a peaceful solution in the interest of the people”. The next three points concern the role of the Association: a special envoy from the president will facilitate mediation; ASEAN will provide humanitarian assistance through the special envoy and a delegation will visit Myanmar to meet all interested parties.
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