We ask the two foreign ministers (of Indonesia and Malaysia) to hold talks with the ASEAN chair to look into the possibility of holding a special ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting on the developments in Myanmar as one family.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin have sought an ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting to discuss the recent political developments in Myanmar.

“We ask the two foreign ministers (of Indonesia and Malaysia) to hold talks with the ASEAN chair to look into the possibility of holding a special ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting on the developments in Myanmar as one family,” President Widodo said during a joint press conference with PM Yassin at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Friday.

On Monday, the Myanmar military staged a coup d'etat against the nation’s government and declared a one-year state of emergency following escalation of tensions over the results of parliamentary elections held in November, 2020.

The military also detained the country's civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, President Win Myint, and other senior members of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party in the national capital, Naypyidaw.

"We are concerned about the political developments in Myanmar. We hope the political differences can be settled in accordance with the law in force in order to realize the vision of the ASEAN community," the Indonesian President said.

Widodo said it is important for all sides to always respect the principles of the ASEAN charter.

"Particularly the principles of rule of law, good governance, democracy, human rights and constitutional government," he remarked.

During their meeting, Widodo and Yassin also discussed the Rohingya issue.

"We also have discussed the issue in detail with Mr. Prime Minister. At the meeting, we also discussed the Rohingya issue and hoped it will constantly draw our attention," Widodo stated.

During the one-year state of emergency declared by the Myanmar military, the executive, legislative, and judicial power will remain under the control of its military chief, General Min Aung Hlaing.

In an official statement broadcast live by Myawaddy Television (MWD), the Myanmar military said the emergency is aimed at preventing a rift among community groups, as stipulated in Article 417 of the country's 2008 Constitution.

While the military has claimed the government failed to settle disputes over voter lists in November 8, 2020, some human rights and democracy activists have said the coup d'etat is a move by General Min Aung Hlaing to maintain power five months before he retires in July, 2021. (INE)

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Translator: Desca Lidya N/Suharto
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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