Indonesia and Singapore condemn attack on humanitarian convoy
LABUAN BAJO, Indonesia — The crisis in Myanmar and a brazen attack on an Association of Southeast Asian Nations humanitarian convoy there are overshadowing the regional bloc’s summit this week, with Indonesia and Singapore condemning the violence.
Eight leaders of the 10-member ASEAN are set to kick off the two-day summit on Wednesday in the resort area of Labuan Bajo, on the eastern Indonesian island of Flores. Leaders from Myanmar’s military regime were not invited, while Thailand, which is holding general elections on Sunday, will be represented by Deputy Prime Minister Don Pramudwinai.
Indonesia, the largest economy in the bloc, holds the rotating chairmanship this year and declared the theme of the summit to be “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth.” While this suggests a focus on the economy, the Myanmar issue was already dominating talks ahead of the summit.
Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on Sunday highlighted his government’s three priorities for dealing with Myanmar: ending violence, humanitarian aid and dialogue involving various stakeholders, adding that “sanctions are not a solution.”
“We want … Myanmar to also play active roles in these dialogues,” he said.
On Monday, however, the president revealed that officials delivering aid from the ASEAN humanitarian assistance center had been attacked, without offering details.
“I want to underline that this [attack] will not deter ASEAN and Indonesia from repeating the call to stop violence, stop using force,” Widodo told reporters in Labuan Bajo, where he was checking on preparations for the summit. “Nobody will win in this situation.”
Singapore’s Foreign Ministry on Monday revealed that two staff members from the Singaporean Embassy in Yangon were part of the convoy involved in the incident in the eastern state of Shan, adding that they were safe. “Singapore condemns this attack,” a ministry spokesperson said in response to media queries.
“Singapore urges all parties to refrain from violence, in accordance with the five-point consensus,” the spokesperson said, referring to a peace restoration road map that was broadly agreed upon between ASEAN leaders and Myanmar’s military chief, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, in Jakarta in 2021. “Only constructive dialogue among all key stakeholders in Myanmar can facilitate a peaceful solution in the interests of the people of Myanmar.”
Indonesia has signaled determination to make headway on Myanmar while maintaining pressure on Naypyitaw. There is growing urgency for tangible progress before the ASEAN chairmanship for 2024 shifts to Laos, seen as a conduit for China’s foreign policy priorities in Myanmar.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi last week said her country has been engaging in “quiet diplomacy” with “as many stakeholders as possible” — including the military regime known as the State Administration Council, the pro-democracy parallel National Unity Government and Myanmar’s ethnic armed organizations as well as key partners including India, China and the U.S.
The Myanmar crisis threatens to impede important talks on ASEAN’s code of conduct with China on the South China Sea and the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), which have already dragged on for years. Indonesia hopes to make progress on this front, too, amid concern over Beijing’s aggressive assertion of its claims to much of the crucial waterway. At the same time, some newer ASEAN leaders are adopting firmer stances in response.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is ramping up military cooperation with the U.S. in a dramatic shift from his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte, who was wary of upsetting China. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has also expressed determination to press ahead with natural gas exploration in the resource-rich sea.
Indonesia, meanwhile, is emphasizing the need for “concrete and inclusive” cooperation “with all countries to make the Indo-Pacific a peaceful and prosperous region.” Such statements subtly allude to China, which is excluded from Indo-Pacific talks led by the U.S. and its allies. China in recent years has quickly emerged as a major source of investment for Indonesia as well as its largest trade partner.
At this week’s summit, ASEAN leaders are also expected to decide on a path for East Timor’s full membership in the group, after agreeing to do so in November. East Timor Prime Minister Taur Matan Ruak will attend the summit with observer status.
NIKEI
