Asean Summit To Discuss Conflict In Myanmar, Military Junta To Come?

JAKARTA - The Asean Summit (Summit) or Asean Leaders Meeting (ALM) will be held on Saturday, April 24 tomorrow. In this meeting, the Asean heads of state will discuss the conflict in Myanmar.

Minister of Foreign Affairs (Menlu) Retno Marsudi said the Asean Summit which was initiated by Indonesia was carried out in the interests of the people in Myanmar. This is based on President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) 's statement when he received the arrival of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the Bogor Palace, West Java, Friday, April 23.

"The President (Joko Widodo) emphasized that this ALM was solely carried out or held for the benefit of the Myanmar people," said Retno, as quoted from a press conference broadcast on YouTube by the Presidential Secretariat.

Jokowi, said Retno, emphasized that Indonesia's attitude towards the conflict in Myanmar from the start was very clear and firm, namely prioritizing the safety and welfare of the Myanmar people. In addition, the military junta in the country was asked to stop the use of weapons and violence so as not to cause more casualties.

Jokowi will also encourage inclusive dialogue so that democracy, security, peace and stability in Myanmar can quickly recover. "The two leaders hope that the ALM meeting tomorrow can produce an agreement that is best for the people of Myanmar," he said.

During the meeting, Retno said, Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chính appreciated Indonesia's steps in initiating the Asean Summit.

"The Vietnamese PM expressed his concern over the continuing violence in Myanmar. The Vietnamese PM also said that violence should be stopped immediately in Myanmar," he said.

Retno hopes that the Asean Summit can reach an agreement on the best steps for the people of Myanmar.

"The commitment of the leaders to meet physically is a reflection of Asean's concern about the situation in Myanmar and Asean's determination to help Myanmar get out of this crisis," he said.

Although later Myanmar will be one of the discussions at this international event, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Teuku Faizasayah said there has been no news about the presence of the Commander of the Myanmar Military Junta, Min Aung Hlaing. This certainty will only be known no later than Saturday, April 24 tomorrow.

This also answers the circulating news that Min Aung Hlaing is scheduled to attend the Asean Summit.

"There is no (news of the arrival of the Commander of the Myanmar Military Junta, Min Aung Hlaing, red). Only tomorrow (Saturday, April 24) can be confirmed," he said when contacted by reporters.

The announcement of the presence or absence of the Myanmar military junta commander Min Aung Hlaing, said Faiz, would be delivered directly by the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Hassanal Bolkiah, who is also the chairman of Asean.

Even so, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs could have announced in advance when the commander of the Myanmar military junta, Min Aung Hlaing, had arrived in Indonesia.