Disappointed There Is No Progress Of 5PC Implementation By Myanmar, Foreign Minister Retno Proposes Three Things

The 57th AMM Retreat Meeting in Laos. (Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs RI)

JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi proposed three things related to the conflict in Myanmar, following disappointment with the implementation of Five Point Consensus (5PC).

"The disappointment was conveyed by Foreign Minister Retno because she considered the absence of progress on the implementation of 5PC leh Myanmar," said the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement Thursday, July 25.

This was conveyed by Foreign Minister Retno at the Retreat Meeting at the 7th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) of ASEAN Foreign Ministers in Vientiane, Laos on Thursday.

Furthermore, he also again conveyed about the situation in Myanmar which was getting worse, among others, marked by, increasing internal conflicts which caused increased internal refugees; increased cross-border crime activities, including online scams and the trade in illegal drugs where the majority of victims were Southeast Asian citizens. UNODC data shows that there has been an increase in opium trading in Myanmar.

"This increasingly worrying condition requires all ASEAN member countries, including all parties in Myanmar, to restore trade and stability in Myanmar," said Foreign Minister Retno.

Regarding the Myanmar conflict, Foreign Minister Retno suggested several things.

First, ensure that 5PC remains the main reference for ASEAN's efforts. Without the progress of the 5PC implementation, Myanmar's participation in the meeting of the Foreign Minister and the ASEAN Summit needs to be maintained (no political representatives).

Second, the need to enlarge humanitarian aid. The Indonesian Foreign Minister said that this year Indonesia has provided humanitarian assistance to Myanmar amounting to 500 thousand US dollars for rehabilitation programs for people with disabilities through the International Red Cross (ICRC). Indonesia will also distribute polio vaccines in September this year.

Indonesia also welcomes the cross-border humanitarian aid initiative from Thailand, emphasizing the need for assistance to be carried out inclusively and transparently at all levels, from planning to implementation.

The Foreign Minister also conveyed the need for an ASEAN Troika informal mechanism to be continued for Myanmar. In addition, he also emphasized the need for ASEAN synergy with Utsus PBB for Myanmar in mobilizing and managing aid for Myanmar.

"Indonesia also supports the holding of the Utsus Myanmar Meeting," he said.

Third, Foreign Minister Retno said it was necessary to ensure an inclusive dialogue. Although until now there has been no desire for dialogue from stakeholders, Foreign Minister Retno emphasized that an inclusive dialogue is the only way to create sustainable peace and stability in Myanmar.

"ASEAN must continue to strive to encourage this inclusive dialogue to build mutual trust among stakeholders," he said.