As the world’s largest archipelagic nation, Indonesia has played a significant role in promoting peace and stability in Southeast Asia. With the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, however, many are wondering whether or not Indonesia’s well-known leadership in the region is enough to address the deep-seated issues plaguing its neighbor. Despite its efforts to broker a peaceful resolution, Indonesia has faced criticism for its perceived inaction in the face of escalating violence and human rights abuses. As the situation in Myanmar continues to worsen, the question remains: is Indonesia’s best good enough to handle the crisis?
Indonesia, as this year’s chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), faces mounting pressure to address the crisis in Myanmar. The country has been wracked by violence and human rights violations since a military coup ousted the democratically elected government in February 2021. ASEAN has struggled to get Myanmar’s military junta to comply with a five-point consensus (5PC) designed to end the violence and provide humanitarian aid. The summit was attended by junta leader Gen Min Aung Hlaing, but divisions among member countries continue to impede progress.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has promised to do his best to improve the situation and highlighted the priority for implementing Myanmar’s earlier peace plan. A Malaysian official said that the success of Indonesia’s chairmanship would hinge on its ability to persuade Myanmar to adhere to the 5PC. The Prime Minister’s call to “carve Myanmar out,” however, was met with confusion and concern, with observers noting that such an act was not in ASEAN’s DNA. ASEAN works by consensus, and political cooperation is necessary to prevent further violence.
While there are divisions within ASEAN over how to address Myanmar’s crisis, it is a well-known fact that the violence and displacement have had far-reaching effects on Southeast Asia. An influx of refugees has affected the social safety and security of several ASEAN countries, and former foreign minister Tan Sri Syed Hamid Albar questioned the point of having ASEAN if it could not resolve such crises. The Prime Minister concurred, stating that non-interference is not a license for indifference.
As the chair of ASEAN this year, Indonesia faces a significant challenge in resolving the Myanmar crisis. The priority must be placed on protecting human rights and providing humanitarian aid to those displaced by the violence. Political cooperation is necessary to ensure a peaceful and sustainable solution, and ASEAN must work together to prevent such crises from happening again in the future. While the challenges are significant, ASEAN can learn from its past successes and failures to ensure a brighter future for the region.
