Indonesia Refutes Rumors of Backing New Elections in Myanmar

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesperson Teuku Faizasyah on Tuesday’s press conference refuted rumors that the Indonesian government supports the election planned by Myanmar’s military. He asserted that Indonesia remains committed to its initial stand on the military coup in Myanmar. 

Faizasyah said that Indonesia’s position towards the political development in Myanmar has not changed, “Indonesia has issued a clear statement. The situation in Myanmar is worrying and reminds us to hold on to the ASEAN principle upon helping solve the situation there,” he said on February 23. 

Previously, a rumor arose stating that Indonesia had proposed for Myanmar to hold an election overseen by an international supervisory committee, which coincides with the plans of Myanmar’s military junta led by General Min Aung Hlaing who promised to hold a new election.

Teuku Faizasyah says that this rumor has to be immediately clarified as it had caused an uproar from the Myanmar public that planned to hold a protest at the Indonesian Embassy in Myanmar this week. He assures that the Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister is ‘uniforming perceptions’ with ASEAN foreign affairs ministers before issuing any significant statement. 

“The new election is not Indonesia’s position. We are searching for a peaceful solution that emphasizes democracy. Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi is currently consulting with ASEAN foreign affairs ministers,” he added. 

It has been nearly one month since the Myanmar’s military junta executed the coup, which saw numerous significant incidents such as the arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi, Former State Counsellor of Myanmar, the national emergency that was enacted by the military, and major demonstrations broke out across numerous locations. 

Read: Diverse Myanmar Protesters United in Opposition to Coup

ISTMAN MP