Indonesian President Joko Widodo urged joint efforts from the ASEAN bloc to tackle the escalating military-civilian conflict in Myanmar on Thursday.
Widodo's views came during a meeting of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders in Indonesia's town of Labuan Bajo which is hosting the summit under its presidency.
Widodo added that Myanmar has not made any progress in implementing the "five-point consensus", or "5PC", agreed upon.
Widodo's views came during a meeting of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders in Indonesia's town of Labuan Bajo which is hosting the summit under its presidency.
Widodo added that Myanmar has not made any progress in implementing the "five-point consensus", or "5PC", agreed upon.
"I must speak candidly. On implementation of the 5PC, there has not been significant progress," the Indonesian leader said. "Therefore, ASEAN unity is required to decide on the next steps."
Peace Plan for De-Escalation
Widodo likewise urged the ten-member regional bloc to come up with a plan to de-escalate violence in Myanmar.
In April, a military airstrike killed 175 in the volatile Sagaing region where the Myanmarese Army is fighting an intense insurgency against its rule. The airstrikes, according to the Myanmar government, were carried out against suspected "terrorists".
Myanmar's military leaders are not taking part in the ASEAN Summit after being barred over the failure to implement the peace plan agreed upon by the junta's top general in April 2021 in Jakarta.
Despite inherent difficulties in compelling the Myanmar military to implement the peace plan, ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn told reporters in Indonesia that it would serve as the basis for its talks with the junta leadership.
The proposed peace plan urges the military leadership to shun violence, allow humanitarian aid and access to international donors in the country, and dialogue between warring parties.
"From the ASEAN side, there is a strong desire to assist Myanmar, but it is not easy," Hourn said, before adding that "What we should be doing is to ensure that violence is eliminated. That is the bottom line."
Malaysia's Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir too shared his views on the Myanmar issue, stating that ASEAN's efforts should "come as a force together."
"Everyone wants to find a peaceful solution, and a lasting one," he concluded.