Foreign Minister Retno: The Issue Of The Rohingya Cannot Be Resolved If The Roots Of Myanmar's PROBLEMs Are Not Solved

Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs RI/ABI)

JAKARTA - Indonesia will try to help Myanmar get out of the political crisis, as well as the Rohingya ethnic problem, while serving as Chair of ASEAN this year with the theme 'ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth'.

In an Annual Press Statement of the Minister of Foreign Affairs 2023 entitled 'LeadershHip In A Challenge World', Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said there was no progress in the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) by the Myanmar military junta caused disappointment. ASEAN.

"Regarding Myanmar, as Chair and according to the mandate of the 5PC, Indonesia will do its best to help Myanmar get out of the political crisis. The Office of Special Envoy will be formed and led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs," said Foreign Minister Retno in Jakarta, January 11.

Furthermore, he said, the steps that Indonesia will take will always be based on the principles and fundamental values of the ASEAN Charter in its integrity, including the administration to the rule of law, good governance and the principles of democracy and institutional government.

"According to the 5PC and the decision of the ASEAN Summit at Phnom Penh, Indonesia will carry out engagement with all stakeholders," said Foreign Minister Retno.

"Only through engagement with all stakeholders, the 5PC mandate regarding facilitation for the creation of national dialogue can be carried out. Collaboration with the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General will continue to be carried out," he explained.

"Indonesia asks that access to all stakeholders be given to the Secretary General of ASEAN and the AHA Center, so that they can continue the humanitarian aid mission," said Foreign Minister Retno.

Furthermore, Foreign Minister Retno also highlighted the resolution of the Rohingya ethnic problem which was considered not to have progressed.

He said, in the last three months, Indonesia received an additional 644 Rohingya refugees. With this addition, there are 1,500 Rohingya ethnic migrants registered in Indonesia.

"The resolution of the Rohingya problem has become more difficult with the current situation in Myanmar. The Rohingya issue will not be resolved if the root problems in Myanmar are not resolved," said Foreign Minister Retno.

He added that the chairmanship of Indonesia will also ensure that the development of the ASEAN community will remain the main focus.

"The issue of Myanmar will not be allowed to take the process of strengthening the development of the ASEAN community," said Foreign Minister Retno.

Still related to ASEAN, Foreign Minister Retno said Indonesia had also initiated ASEAN's High-Level Task Forces Recommendation on Strengthening ASEAN Institutional Capacity and Effectiveness, making ASEAN's Vision element core post-2025 and increasing the ASEAN-United States partnership become strategic comprehensive.

"In the midst of this increasingly difficult world challenge, a positive perspective, cooperation, and optimism are increasingly needed. This perspective will be used by Indonesia in carrying out its Chairship in ASEAN this year," he said.

"Indonesia wants to make ASEAN resilient and become a barometer of cooperation that can contribute to regional and world peace, stability and welfare," he concluded.