TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Myanmar 'integral part' of ASEAN, Brunei says, despite junta snub

The crisis in Myanmar, which is still in chaos following February's military takeover and subsequent deadly crackdown, dominated this week's virtual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

AFP
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Fri, October 29, 2021 Published on Oct. 29, 2021 Published on 2021-10-29T12:21:47+07:00

Change text size

Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone

Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
This handout photo released by the host broadcast, ASEAN Summit 2021, on October 27, 2021 shows Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah (center), Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (top left), Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (top 2nd left) and South Korean President Moon Jae-in (top 2nd R) taking part in the ASEAN-Plus Three Summit on the sidelines of the 2021 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, held online on a live video conference in Brunei's capital Bandar Seri Begawan. This handout photo released by the host broadcast, ASEAN Summit 2021, on October 27, 2021 shows Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah (center), Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (top left), Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (top 2nd left) and South Korean President Moon Jae-in (top 2nd R) taking part in the ASEAN-Plus Three Summit on the sidelines of the 2021 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, held online on a live video conference in Brunei's capital Bandar Seri Begawan. (AFP/Handout)

M

yanmar remains an "integral part" of Southeast Asia's regional bloc, member Brunei insisted Thursday, despite the coup-hit country boycotting annual talks in protest at a ban on its junta chief.

The crisis in Myanmar, which is still in chaos following February's military takeover and subsequent deadly crackdown, dominated this week's virtual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The bloc decided to exclude junta chief Min Aung Hlaing after his regime refused to allow ASEAN's special envoy to meet ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

It was an unprecedented snub from an organisation long accused of being toothless, and infuriated the junta -- which rejected an invite to send a senior official to the meeting in his place.

ASEAN is facing calls to go further by suspending or even expelling Myanmar but Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, the summit host, instead sought to ease tensions. 

"Myanmar is an integral part of the ASEAN family, and their membership has not been questioned," he told a press conference. 

"ASEAN will always be there for Myanmar."

However, he added that the 10-member group hopes "Myanmar will return to normalcy, in accordance with the will of its people".

Saifuddin Abdullah, the foreign minister of member state Malaysia, hinted the junta could be barred from further meetings of the bloc.

Asked if Myanmar will join future talks, he responded: "That is a million dollar question which I cannot answer now."

"We would want to look at the implementation of the 'five-point consensus'," he added, referring to a roadmap to restore peace drawn up by ASEAN.

The bloc appointed its special envoy for Myanmar, Brunei's Second Foreign Minister Erywan Yusof, in August after months of wrangling. 

But he is yet to visit the country after the regime's refusal to allow him to meet Suu Kyi, who is facing a raft of charges in a junta court and could be jailed for decades. 

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.

Share options

Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!

Change text size options

Customize your reading experience by adjusting the text size to small, medium, or large—find what’s most comfortable for you.

Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone

Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!

Continue in the app

Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.