I do not believe President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has any hard feelings against his counterpart. After all Indonesia should take a leading role, along with other ASEAN neighbors, in rescuing Myanmar from a possible return to military dictatorship.

Helping Myanmar in this time of need could be a good chance for ASEAN to push for a win-win solution to the prolonged suffering of the Rohingya. More importantly, Myanmar should carry on with its democratization after decades of military rule.

Former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) came to mind when I heard the news about the current situation in Myanmar. As a former Army general and the country’s sixth president, SBY convinced Myanmar’s generals of the benefits of letting civilians control the government. The generals were impressed by the Indonesian model of the military’s “dual function” under Soeharto, as well as his focus on economic development.

Like or not, SBY played an important role in persuading Myanmar’s generals to ease their grip on the country. Of course, they still maintain most of the privileges they have enjoyed for decades.

Jokowi reportedly often felt irritated by SBY, who on some occasions appeared to give the impression to the public that he was smarter and wiser than his successor. Forget these differences, at least for a while.

I suggest Jokowi ask SBY to serve as his special envoy to Myanmar if he really intends to contribute to a solution to the Myanmar cause.

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