Despite the rebuke, Brunei claims Myanmar is still 'integral' to ASEAN

[ASEAN NOW Content Team]

 

Myanmar remains a vital member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, according to Brunei's sultan, and the bloc expects Myanmar's military administration would engage with an ASEAN envoy to defuse the political crisis sparked by its February seizure of power.

 

Brunei's sultan said Thursday that Myanmar is still an important member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and that the bloc expects the country's military administration will work with an ASEAN ambassador to resolve the political situation sparked by its February power grab.

 

Despite excluding Myanmar's military leader from the summit, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who hosted a three-day online summit organised by ASEAN and attended by other world leaders, said the 10-member bloc will stick by Myanmar and continue to offer assistance.

After being asked why ASEAN didn't take greater action against Myanmar, including possible expulsion, he told reporters in Bandar Seri Begawan at the close of the summit, "Myanmar is a vital part of the ASEAN family and their membership has not been questioned."

 

In its toughest criticism yet since the army removed civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, ASEAN prevented Myanmar's military leader, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, from representing the country at the summit.
An ASEAN ambassador was denied access to Suu Kyi and other political detainees as part of a suggested conversation on ending the situation, in which security forces are believed to have killed around 1,200 civilians.
The government has claimed a lower death toll.

 

Myanmar was offered the opportunity to send a non-political delegate to the summit, but the country declined.

“We have allowed Myanmar room for this summit while strongly following the principles established in the ASEAN charter, notably non-interference,” he said.
Only Myanmar's people can properly fix the country's internal problems, according to the sultan.

He stated, "ASEAN will always be there for Myanmar, and we have continued to give our assistance."

 

Myanmar has been requested by the EU to grant full access to its envoy, Brunei Second Foreign Minister Eryan Yusof, and to release political detainees.
Myanmar maintains that the envoy cannot meet with Suu Kyi and others since they are charged with crimes.

"That's the $1 million issue," Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah remarked in a separate press conference earlier Thursday when asked if Min Aung Hlaing will be barred from future ASEAN events.

 

"If the current scenario becomes a deadlock and no progress can be made," he stated in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, "then we should be looking at other means to achieve the intended outcome."

According to Saifuddin, there is currently no debate in ASEAN about dealing with Myanmar's political opposition, the National Unity Government, which considers itself a shadow government and met with US officials this week.

 

President Joe Biden, who conducted a video discussion with ASEAN leaders and attended an 18-nation Asia meeting with his Chinese and Russian counterparts, has condemned Myanmar's military government's "horrific violence" and assured that the US will stand with Myanmar's people.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has hinted that he may not invite Myanmar's top general to a video summit of more than 50 Asian and European countries that Cambodia will host next month, according to a regional diplomat.