INDONESIA, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore pushed for a harder stance against Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing at a "tense" meeting that decided to exclude him from a regional summit this month, four people with knowledge of the talks said.
Southeast Asian ministers were divided between sticking to a tradition of non-interference and the need to retain credibility by sanctioning the coup leader, who has led a bloody crackdown on dissent since seizing power from Myanmar’s civilian government on Feb. 1, the sources said.
In the end it was the chair Brunei, with majority backing, that chose to keep him from attending the virtual Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders' summit set for Oct 26 to 28, and invite instead a "non-political representative" from Myanmar.
The decision broke with ASEAN's decades-long policy of engagement and non-interference in the affairs of member nations.
"The mood in the meeting had never been more tense," said one of the people with knowledge of the discussions.
"If you asked me if ASEAN would do something like this a year ago, I would have said it would never happen," said a regional diplomat. "ASEAN is changing."
Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said on Twitter the outcome of the meeting was a "difficult but necessary decision to uphold ASEAN's credibility".
Philippines Foreign Minister Teodoro Locsin said before the meeting that the bloc could no longer afford to take a neutral stance on Myanmar, adding that if it relented, "our credibility as a real regional organization disappears ... We’re a bunch of guys who always agree with each other on the worthless things".
Malaysia's foreign ministry and a spokesperson for Indonesia's foreign ministry declined to comment.
The 10-member ASEAN also includes Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.
International pressure has been mounting on ASEAN for a harder line against Myanmar’s failure to take agreed steps to end violence, allow humanitarian access and start dialogue with its opponents.
The grouping's perceived ineptitude has sparked outrage in Myanmar, with some anti-junta protesters burning the bloc’s flag.
Since overthrowing Aung San Suu Kyi’s government, detaining her and most of her allies and ending a decade of tentative democracy, Myanmar’s military has killed more than 1,000 people and arrested thousands in a bid to crush resistance, monitoring group the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners says.
Fighting has flared nationwide between junta troops and hastily assembled pro-democracy armed groups.
In a televised address on Monday, making his first remarks since the snub, Min Aung Hlaing defended the military’s actions, saying it was seeking to restore order and ASEAN should take note of violence out by its opponents, before announcing an amnesty for thousands of political prisoners.
Earlier, a spokesman blamed ASEAN’s decision on "foreign intervention", saying the United States and representatives of the European Union had pressured other members of the grouping.
CREDIBILITY AT STAKE
For decades, Myanmar’s military has been a thorny issue for the regional bloc, as previous ruling juntas came under fire for brutally crushing pro-democracy movements.
Friday’s decision came after weeks of failed diplomacy over the crisis and days after plans were scrapped for a visit to Myanmar by ASEAN's special envoy Erywan Yusof when the junta denied him a meeting with Aung San Suu Kyi, citing the criminal charges she faces.
These include violating the official secrets act.
Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore first floated the idea of sidelining the junta head at a meeting this month of ASEAN foreign ministers, said the regional diplomat, as a tactic to win access to Suu Kyi, who is being held at an unknown location.
Two of the sources said there were fears that Min Aung Hlaing’s presence would deter other global leaders from attending the larger East Asia Summit, set for a few days after the ASEAN summit.
Last week, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres postponed a call with Southeast Asian ministers to avoid being in the same online room as a Myanmar military representative.
"The threats to disengage weren’t made, at least explicitly, but there was anxiety on the part of member states that it would begin to affect ASEAN’s credibility in a broader sense," said Aaron Connelly, a Southeast Asia researcher at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
The regional leaders discussed on Friday requests to attend the summit from Myanmar’s parallel civilian government, the National Unity Government, which two sources said has been in quiet talks with Indonesia, among other nations, but stopped short.
The selection of a "non-political representative" now falls to the junta, which is likely to choose someone seen as comparatively neutral but tied to the regime, three of the sources said.
But the decision to sideline Min Aung Hlaing represents "the most severe sanction that any ASEAN member state has ever been dealt by the organisation," said Connelly.
People regionwide have "lost faith and hope in the mechanism of ASEAN to protect its own community members," said Fuadi Pitsuwan, a fellow at Chiang Mai University’s School of Public Policy. It might be time to "re-evaluate" the non-interference principle, he added.
"Let’s see if this would kick start another round of this existential deliberation and whether it would end differently."
Reuters
Tue Oct 19 2021
![Tradition vs credibility: Inside the SE Asian meet that snubbed Myanmar Tradition vs credibility: Inside the SE Asian meet that snubbed Myanmar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-10/61634615789_MYANMAR.jpg)
Southeast Asian ministers were divided between sticking to a tradition of non-interference and the need to retain credibility by sanctioning Myanmar junta leader Min Aung Hlaing. - REUTERS
![Warga emas bersalah bunuh abang, kakak ipar Warga emas bersalah bunuh abang, kakak ipar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41721119130_wargaemasbersalah.jpg)
Warga emas bersalah bunuh abang, kakak ipar
Mahkamah Tinggi di sini hari ini mensabitkan kesalahan seorang warga emas atas dua pertuduhan pindaan membunuh abang dan kakak iparnya dua tahun lalu.
![PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp kemuka laporan tindakan susulan PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp kemuka laporan tindakan susulan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71721120782_TBMASERMIEYATI.jpg)
PAC beri tempoh tiga bulan kepada HRD Corp kemuka laporan tindakan susulan
Mas Ermieyati Samsudin berkata tempoh itu diberikan susulan laporan audit berkaitan, baru dibentangkan pada minggu lepas.
![Buli siber: Beberapa kementerian bincang perketat undang-undang - Fahmi Buli siber: Beberapa kementerian bincang perketat undang-undang - Fahmi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721118437_FahmiFadzil.jpg)
Buli siber: Beberapa kementerian bincang perketat undang-undang - Fahmi
Penambahbaikan aspek perundangan akan diteliti kerajaan, termasuk mengadakan perbincangan dengan beberapa kementerian berkaitan dalam masa terdekat.
![Kementerian Digital sedia bantu PKS dalam pelaksanaan e-invois - Gobind Kementerian Digital sedia bantu PKS dalam pelaksanaan e-invois - Gobind](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2019-12/81575261818_GobindSinghDeo.jpg)
Kementerian Digital sedia bantu PKS dalam pelaksanaan e-invois - Gobind
Beliau menegaskan bahawa pelaksanaan e-Invois itu akan memberi manfaat, termasuk meningkatkan pendapatan PKS.
![Kim Pan-gon akan ke Ulsan Hyundai? Kim Pan-gon akan ke Ulsan Hyundai?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51721117483_KimPangon.jpg)
Kim Pan-gon akan ke Ulsan Hyundai?
Bekas pengendali skuad negara itu dilaporkan sedang menjadi calon utama untuk mengisi jawatan pengurus kelab gergasi Korea Selatan, Ulsan Hyundai.
![Lebih 2,300 hektar kawasan lapang di ibu negara diperuntukkan kawasan hijau Lebih 2,300 hektar kawasan lapang di ibu negara diperuntukkan kawasan hijau](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2016-12/41482504881_TamanTasikTitiwang.jpg)
Lebih 2,300 hektar kawasan lapang di ibu negara diperuntukkan kawasan hijau
Daripada keluasan itu, sebanyak 977.55 hektar tanah telah diwartakan, manakala 1,416.24 hektar tanah lapang yang berpotensi akan dan sedang dalam proses diwartakan.
Guna jawatan untuk projek pembekalan, suami isteri ditahan
Sepasang suami isteri direman enam hari dalam siasatan penyalahgunaan jawatan untuk mendapatkan projek pembekalan bernilai lebih RM200,000.
Perintah reman dikeluarkan Majistret Noor Mazrinie Mahmood bermula hari ini hingga Ahad.
Perintah reman dikeluarkan Majistret Noor Mazrinie Mahmood bermula hari ini hingga Ahad.
DBKL ubah lalu lintas Jalan Sultan Ismail bermula 22 Julai
Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) akan melaksanakan perubahan lalu lintas di Jalan Sultan Ismail berkuat kuasa 22 Julai ini.
![ADUN Rembia sertai Pas, kenapa tak umum tahun lepas? - MP Kampar ADUN Rembia sertai Pas, kenapa tak umum tahun lepas? - MP Kampar](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/61721116604_ChongZheminDewan.jpg)
ADUN Rembia sertai Pas, kenapa tak umum tahun lepas? - MP Kampar
Tindakan tersebut seolah-olah satu penghinaan paling besar kepada Parlimen yang telah meluluskan pindaan Perlembagaan Persekutuan berkait Akta Antilompat Parti.
[TERKINI] Perbelanjaan pengguna Malaysia dijangka kembali teguh
Perbelanjaan pengguna Malaysia dijangka teguh sepanjang tahun ini, demikian menurut BMI, iaitu syarikat Fitch Solitions.
![Ringgit ditutup tinggi berbanding dolar US Ringgit ditutup tinggi berbanding dolar US](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/41713876066_TBringgitmalaysia.jpg)
Ringgit ditutup tinggi berbanding dolar US
Ringgit meningkat berbanding dolar Amerika Syarikat (AS) hari ini, disokong oleh sentimen dan permintaan yang lebih baik untuk unit tempatan, kata penganalisis.
![Ringgit kekal ditutup tinggi berbanding dolar AS Ringgit kekal ditutup tinggi berbanding dolar AS](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/41713876066_TBringgitmalaysia.jpg)
Ringgit kekal ditutup tinggi berbanding dolar AS
Ringgit kekal ditutup tinggi berbanding dolar Amerika Syarikat (AS) pada Khamis dalam keadaan peningkatan prospek pengurangan kadar faedah AS, kata penganalisis.
![Garrido tuntut skuad baharu B-19 bukti kemampuan di Indonesia Garrido tuntut skuad baharu B-19 bukti kemampuan di Indonesia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/51720449649_TBHarimauMalaya.jpg)
Garrido tuntut skuad baharu B-19 bukti kemampuan di Indonesia
Garrido mencabar barisan pemain baharu untuk membuktikan bahawa mereka layak bergelar juara bertahan apabila menggalas cabaran negara pada Kejohanan B-19 ASEAN 2024 di Surabaya.
![Mesyuarat meja bulat Menteri ASEAN-China sebulat suara luluskan konsensus KL Mesyuarat meja bulat Menteri ASEAN-China sebulat suara luluskan konsensus KL](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41720051183_tbNgaKorMing.jpg)
Mesyuarat meja bulat Menteri ASEAN-China sebulat suara luluskan konsensus KL
Mesyuarat Meja Bulat Menteri ASEAN-China mengenai Pembinaan dan Perumahan (ACMROCH) 2024 sebulat suara meluluskan Konsensus Kuala Lumpur pagi ini.
!['Adalah memalukan jika tiada identiti, semangat budaya dalam seni bina' - PM 'Adalah memalukan jika tiada identiti, semangat budaya dalam seni bina' - PM](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41719994055_TBAnwarIbrahim.jpg)
'Adalah memalukan jika tiada identiti, semangat budaya dalam seni bina' - PM
Selain aspek kecanggihan teknologi, pembangunan tidak boleh menyisihkan keperluan masyarakat dan ia perlu mempunyai rangka serta dasar yang jelas.
![Tok Mat akhiri lawatan rasmi ke Filipina, bincang kepentingan kerjasama dua hala Tok Mat akhiri lawatan rasmi ke Filipina, bincang kepentingan kerjasama dua hala](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/71719887508_MohamadHasan.jpg)
Tok Mat akhiri lawatan rasmi ke Filipina, bincang kepentingan kerjasama dua hala
Wisma Putra dalam satu kenyataan pada Selasa memaklumkan lawatan tersebut juga tersebut juga adalah bersempena ulang tahun ke-60 penubuhan hubungan diplomatik di antara Malaysia dan Republik Filipina.
![Phee Jinq En mahu berehat seketika dari kolam renang Phee Jinq En mahu berehat seketika dari kolam renang](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-03/41646604760_PheeJinqEn.jpg)
Phee Jinq En mahu berehat seketika dari kolam renang
Phee Jinq mengambil keputusan untuk melupakan seketika kolam renang selepas kejayaan menyumbang pingat emas dan perak kepada kem negara di temasya Sukan Universiti ASEAN (AUG) 2024.
![Malaysia, Korea Selatan adakan rundingan dua hala Malaysia, Korea Selatan adakan rundingan dua hala](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-06/41719578796_MalaysiaKorea.jpg)
Malaysia, Korea Selatan adakan rundingan dua hala
Malaysia dan Korea Selatan mengadakan Mesyuarat Rundingan Dua Hala ke-9 Korea-Malaysia di Putrajaya pada Rabu (26 Jun), menurut Kedutaan Korea Selatan di Kuala Lumpur pada Jumaat.
![Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/71709993909_TBBERITAx.jpg)
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.
![Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-03/71709993909_TBBERITAx.jpg)
Berita antarabangsa pilihan sepanjang hari ini
Antara pelbagai berita luar negara yang disiarkan di Astro AWANI, berikut adalah yang paling menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari ini.