President Joko Widodo stressed the importance of respecting the principles of democracy, international law and human rights in accordance with what is contained in the ASEAN Charter.
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KRIS MADA, LARASWATI ARIADNE ANWAR, MAWAR KUSUMA WULAN
·4 minutes read
JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Regional dynamics are a challenge in achieving ASEAN’s goal to turn Southeast Asia into an epicentrum of growth. Great power competition and an economic slowdown must be addressed amid efforts to uphold the theme of Indonesia’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2023.
Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi said the theme of growth was one of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s messages to ASEAN foreign ministers and ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn on Friday (3/2/2023) at the State Palace in Central Jakarta. The foreign ministers gradually arrived at the Credential Hall, with Laotian Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, Brunei Darussalam Foreign Minister Erywan Yusof and Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn arriving first.
They were then followed by Malaysian Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir, Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Austria Manalo, Singaporean Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, Thai Foreign Minister Pramudwinai and Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son as well as Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, who arrived last.
Upon receiving them, the President emphasized the importance of maintaining regional political stability and security. These two factors play crucial roles in efforts to turn ASEAN into an epicentrum of growth amid the gloomy projections of the global economy. The President also warned that ASEAN should not become a tool for other countries.
“The President stressed the importance of respecting the principles of democracy, international law and human rights in accordance with what is contained in the ASEAN Charter,” said Retno in a statement at the President’s Office.
This message was conveyed amid regional dynamics that indicated the opposite. The Philippines had just announced that it gave permission for the United States to reestablish its military bases in the country. Besides the US, China also has military bases across Southeast Asia. The presence of US and Chinese military bases in the region thus poses a serious challenge in maintaining peace and stability in Southeast Asia.
The President stressed the importance of respecting the principles of democracy, international law and human rights .
Prior to Manila’s announcement, the International Monetary Fund revealed its growth projections for 2023. Countries with the largest economies in ASEAN, or ASEAN as a whole, will see slower growth this year.
Compared to growth of 5.3 percent in 2022, the ASEAN-5, consisting of Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, will grow 4.3 percent in 2023. This is despite the fact that the IMF classified Asia as a region that will grow better in 2023.
The IMF’s projection is no different from that of Credit Suisse, Goldman Sachs and several other institutions. Meanwhile, S&P Global projects that Indonesia will be able to relatively survive global shocks. This is because most of Indonesia’s economy revolves within the country. In contrast, Singapore, Cambodia and Thailand rely on exports and foreign travelers in their economies.
Dezan Shira and Associates, a consulting firm, said that reduced demand and an increase in the benchmark interest rate were the main factors slowing down ASEAN’s growth. These conditions generally exist in other countries as well.
The agency said US-China competition was not always bad for the region as the two countries would race to approach other regions and make offers. “They [US-China] affirmed their commitments to Southeast Asia. Some have been realized, while others still have the potential to grow,” said the agency in a written statement.
Five-Point Consensus
The ASEAN foreign ministers held a retreat meeting on 3-4 February 2023 to discuss the Myanmar issue. Indonesia insists on abiding by the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) concerning Myanmar. There needs to be dialogue involving all parties in Myanmar and efforts to end all forms of violence in the country.
“Indonesia uses three approaches,” said Foreign Minister Retno.
Indonesia continues to encourage communication between all stakeholders. This is the first step in realizing nationwide dialogue in Myanmar involving all parties there.
All [ASEAN] members support Indonesia’s approach to the Myanmar issue.
To initiate such dialogue, however, requires the cessation of all forms of violence. The indiscriminate distribution of humanitarian aid to all parties is also needed to initiate this dialogue.
Indonesia is also synergizing efforts to resolve the Myanmar crisis alongside ASEAN partners. “All [ASEAN] members support Indonesia’s approach to the Myanmar issue,” she said.
The Foreign Ministry’s ASEAN cooperation director general Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro explained that Indonesia believes the 5PC is a comprehensive step in treating the Myanmar issue. In this regard, Minister Retno formed the Office of the Special Envoy for Myanmar Affairs, which she also chairs.