Indonesia Readies to Talk with Myanmar Junta, Jokowi Says in ASEAN Summit

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo emphasized Southeast Asian nations’ commitment to fighting for an immediate end to violence in Myanmar, including by talking with the ruling junta and all stakeholders for the sake of humanity.

“And it’s important for me to underline that engagement does not mean recognition. Taking an approach does not mean giving recognition,” Jokowi said while wrapping up the ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, Thursday, May 11, 2023.

Myanmar was not invited to the summit following the 2021 military junta coup. The conflict in that country has overshadowed this year’s biennial agenda.

The Myanmar military, also known as the Tatmadaw, is reluctant to adopt the peace deal proposed by the Southeast Asian bloc. This is dubbed the Five-Point Consensus containing constructive dialogue, an immediate end to violence, mediation between various parties, humanitarian assistance, and the special envoy’s visit to Myanmar.

Jokowi also called for ASEAN to remain united in resolving the crisis in Myanmar and continue to push for the implementation of the consensus. “No party inside or outside ASEAN should benefit from the internal conflict in Myanmar, violence must stop and the people must be protected,” he remarked.

DANIEL A. FAJRI

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