Attending The ASEAN Summit: President Jokowi Emphasizes The Importance Of Strengthening ASEAN Institutions, Regrets Myanmar's Attitude

President Joko Widodo while attending the ASEAN Summit virtually. (Photo: Lukas/Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) hopes that ASEAN will be able to maintain its unity and centrality, in the midst of the dynamic development of rivalry between major powers, according to Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.

Foreign Minister Retno said President Jokowi attended the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits which were held virtually, attended by nine out of ten Myanmar members, Tuesday, October 26.

At the 39th Summit, President Jokowi emphasized the importance of strengthening ASEAN, in the midst of a dynamic situation where the rivalry between major powers is increasingly prominent. Foreign Minister Retno said President Jokowi emphasized that ASEAN must be able to maintain its unity and centrality so that it can respond effectively to the existing dynamics.

"Indonesia wants ASEAN to be the locomotive of regional stability and prosperity. In order to achieve this, it is necessary to immediately strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of ASEAN institutions," said President Jokowi as reiterated by Foreign Minister Retno in a press statement Tuesday, October 26.

Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi accompanied President Joko Widodo while attending the virtual ASEAN Summit. (Photo: Lukas/Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat)

Regarding this matter, Foreign Minister Retno said, President Jokowi said that Indonesia proposed a high-level task force that will start working next year to develop the ASEAN vision after 2025, as well as to provide recommendations for strengthening ASEAN institutions. Indonesia hopes that by the end of next year it will accept the recommendation and make a decision on its implementation for 2023.

"Indonesia has submitted a concept paper on the concept of strengthening ASEAN institutions and requested support from other member countries."

Regarding Myanmar, Foreign Minister Retno said President Jokowi regretted Myanmar's attitude which did not welcome ASEAN's helping hand as a family, to help Myanmar out of its political crisis.

The access requested by the special ASEAN envoy to be able to meet with all relevant parties, until the last moment before the summit was still not granted by the Myanmar military regime.

"ASEAN's decision to invite Myanmar's representatives at the non-political level at the summit is a tough decision but it must be done. The President reminded to maintain the honor of the principle of non-intervention, but on the other hand, there is an obligation to uphold other principles in the ASEAN charter, such as democracy, good governance, respect for human rights, and a constitutional government," said Foreign Minister Retno.

President Joko Widodo while attending the ASEAN Summit virtually. (Photo: Lukas/Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat)

"As a family, ASEAN assistance must still be offered to Myanmar, including the provision of humanitarian assistance to the Myanmar people who have the right to live in peace and prosperity. Indonesia consistently hopes that democracy through an inclusive process can be quickly restored in Myanmar," she continued.

Meanwhile, regarding the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, President Jokowi, according to Foreign Minister Retno, said the principles were very clear and at this time it was important for all countries to pay attention to the process of implementing these principles through concrete cooperation.

Related to that, Indonesia plans to hold an Indo-Pacific infrastructure cooperation forum in 2023 during the period of Indonesia's chairmanship in ASEAN.

To note, the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits were chaired directly by the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Hassanal Bolkiah as Chair of ASEAN, followed by nine leaders of ASEAN countries. Myanmar, which was invited to send non-political representatives, did not attend, although the screen for the Land of a Thousand Pagodas was still being prepared.