Indonesia Comments on Myanmar's Election Postponement

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to the election delay by the Myanmar junta, mentioning that the matter slows down reconciliation in the country, further complicating Myanmar's position.

So far, ASEAN has not responded to the issue. "This is an internal process that hinders Myanmar's recovery for its democracy," said the ministry Spokesperson Teuku Faizasyah when met by reporters in Jakarta on Tuesday, August 1, 2023. He added that the ministry will follow closely the development in Myanmar before conducting an evaluation.

The Myanmar junta has officially postponed the election after a meeting between the junta's leader General Min Aung Hlaing and the military-backed National Defense and Security Council on Monday, July 31, 2023. The junta proceeded to extend the state of emergency for six months over the violence in the country, forcing a delay in the election.

Myanmar has been in a state of chaos ever since the coup, inviting global criticism and the West to implement Naypyidaw sanctions. The situation also frustrated ASEAN which believed that the Tatmadaw failed to comply with the five-point consensus agreed by the block. The five-point consensus calls for an immediate end to all violence; dialogue for all parties; appointment of special envoys; access to humanitarian aid from ASEA; and permission for the special envoys to visit Myanmar and meet all parties. 

The five-point consensus, according to several parties, has not given any significant development to resolve the Myanmar crisis.

Previously, the Tatmadaw promised to hold an election in August 2023, following their claim of fraud in the November 2020 election won by Aung San Suu Kyi, leading to the military takeover. However, international monitors who observed the election found it to be largely free and fair. The coup has setback a decade of reform, international relationships, and economic growth.

Responding to the junta's announcement, the US Foreign Ministry said that extending the state of emergency will only plunge the country deeper into violence and instability. "The regime's widespread brutality and disregard for the democratic aspirations of the people of Burma continue to prolong the crisis," said spokesperson Matthew Miller.

DANIEL A. FAJRI 

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