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[INSIGHT] Myanmar matters to ASEAN, Indonesia
Despite rumors that appear to undercut Indonesia’s support for Myanmar, our long history shows that Indonesia only has the interests of Myanmar at heart.
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![[INSIGHT] Myanmar matters to ASEAN, Indonesia](https://img.jakpost.net/c/2021/02/14/2021_02_14_110554_1613278434._large.jpg)
Traditional Myanmar spirit mediums hold up signs during a demonstration against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar, on Feb. 11.
(AFP/STR)
The Feb. 1 coup in Myanmar carries significant consequences for ASEAN’s future.
During ASEAN’s establishment in 1967, its founding fathers envisioned a regional institution of 10 countries in Southeast Asia. They were aware of the strategic limitations of the time and, realistically, started with five countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. But the plan had been set. A membership of 10 countries would make ASEAN complete and would represent the whole of Southeast Asia.
After the Cold War, the three countries of Indochina were invited to join. This began with Vietnam, which became an exemplary new member, paving the way for Cambodia and Laos to join ASEAN later.
That left Myanmar, which after a period of transition under prime minister Thein Sein, completed the circle of 10.
ASEAN was intended to be a big enough group to have a real presence in East Asia and to be able to withstand pressure from any large power. Now, ASEAN has 700 million people and is collectively the fourth-biggest economy in the world, after China, the United States and India, with a growth rate of 6 percent annually.
Read also: Retno’s Myanmar diplomacy
Myanmar’s membership is a critical part of ASEAN. During Indonesia’s revolution against the Dutch from 1945 to 1950, Myanmar assisted and supported the Indonesian struggle for independence through both logistics and diplomacy. This should not be forgotten by the Indonesian people and is the reason why Indonesia will continue to support Myanmar’s needs and interests.
