W

hile it is well known that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono wants leverage on dealing with Myanmar, Indonesia realizes that supporting the reclusive country as ASEAN chair in 2014 runs the risk of jeopardizing efforts to form an ASEAN community by 2015.

Based on alphabetical order, Myanmar will chair ASEAN in 2016. But the country submitted an official request to chair ASEAN in 2014, swapping its schedule with Laos, during the ASEAN Summit in Jakarta in May.

Laos has reportedly agreed to the proposal.

As the grouping’s foreign ministers will discuss Myanmar’s bid during their meeting here Tuesday, Indonesia, the current chair of ASEAN, is opting to examine the country’s condition before making a decision.

An Indonesian team will be sent to Myanmar to assess its progress in democracy, human rights and reconciliation efforts after its recent election.

The Indonesian Foreign Ministry’s director general for ASEAN cooperation, Djauhari Oratmangun, confirmed the foreign ministers would discuss the issue during their meeting.

“Myanmar’s proposal will be discussed among member states, and will be decided by leaders based on recommendations from the ministers. I think ministers will soon discuss this,” he said.

He refused to comment further on Myanmar’s chance, after it skipped its turn to chair in 2006 following widespread criticism on the country’s human rights record and its negative response to calls to reform its democracy.

“This issue is beyond my capacity, it depends on all member states,” he told The Jakarta Post.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa will meet his Myanmar counterpart, U. Wunna Maung Lwin, to discuss the visit of the assessment team.

While Indonesia’s support for Myanmar will boost Yudhoyono’s influence among the junta leaders, Myanmar’s leadership proposal has raised concerns, including from ASEAN dialogue partners, since they believe the country has not proved its commitment to improve its democracy and resolve human rights problems.

Some fear that the country’s chairmanship may disrupt the foundation of the ASEAN community in 2015 that has been anticipated for years, considering that 2014 is a critical time to prepare for the establishment of the community.

ASEAN member states are reportedly prudent in dealing with this issue, since the decision is complex and is predicted to have many impacts on both the regional grouping and its partners.

Rafendi Djamin, Indonesia’s representative to the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), said Myanmar should be given the chance to show its commitment to improving human rights.

“I’m not in the position to judge whether Myanmar is fit for the position, but giving Myanmar a chance could encourage the country to show ASEAN and the world that it is committed to improving its national situation.”

He said that by participating in AICHR, Myanmar had shown its effort to move on to embark on the road to democracy, although the most important thing was to resolve its human rights issues.

Human rights activist Hendardi from the SETARA Institute said Myanmar was “unfit” for the position, considering its slow progress in improving its human rights situation, despite pressure from other ASEAN countries and the world.

He said Myanmar’s unwillingness to move from “authoritarianism” in to a “democracy” hampered the country’s progress. “There should be a deep and prudent assessment before deciding to give the country chairmanship. Myanmar still needs to prove its commitment.”

Meanwhile, Myanmar has said that it has the right to lead the grouping as it has fulfilled its promises of having a general election and releasing a number of political prisoners.