Jokowi: Indonesia Ready To Talk To Junta And Stakeholders In Myanmar For Humanity

The Myanmar military deployed armored vehicles after carrying out a coup. (Twitter @SellieSwan)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo emphasized that Indonesia is ready to speak with anyone in Myanmar for the sake of humanity in a country that has continued to be hit by armed conflict since the military coup the democratically elected government in February 2021.

"Indonesia is ready to talk to anyone, including the junta and all stakeholders in Myanmar, for humanitarian purposes," said Jokowi when giving a press statement closing the series of the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Thursday.

According to Jokowi, this is in line with the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) which mandates ASEAN to approach all stakeholders in Myanmar in unraveling problems in the country.

Jokowi emphasized that the principle of inclusiveness must be strongly adhered to by ASEAN, because the credibility of the regional cooperation organization is at stake in addressing Myanmar's problems. Nevertheless, he stressed that ASEAN could not tolerate what happened in Myanmar.

"Regarding Myanmar, abuse of human values cannot be tolerated," he stressed.

Jokowi also reminded that the approach to all stakeholders to bridge problems in Myanmar does not mean that it gives recognition to the person concerned. Therefore, he admitted that he had conveyed to ASEAN leaders that the ASEAN unity was very important.

"Without unity it will be easy for other parties to break up ASEAN. I am sure that not a single ASEAN country wants this. No party inside or outside ASEAN should take advantage of the internal conflict in Myanmar. Violence must be stopped and the people must be protected," said Jokowi.

Previously, in the ASEAN 42nd Summit series, participating countries issued joint statements to support Indonesia's efforts to continue dialogue with various stakeholders in Myanmar.

Through this statement, member countries also support President Jokowi's statement in responding to the attack recently experienced by the ASEAN Coordination Center for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Management (AHA Center) and the ASEAN monitoring team in Myanmar.

"We support the efforts of the Chair of ASEAN, including Indonesia's efforts to continue the involvement of stakeholders in Myanmar, and encourage the advancement of the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus," read a statement released Wednesday, May 10.