Tatmadaw: Five Consensus Points Must Adjust Myanmar's Internal Conditions

The junta stated that the implementation of ASEAN's 5 PCs must adapt to their internal conditions. Laos considers Myanmar a burden.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Tatmadaw: Lima Poin Konsensus Harus Menyesuaikan Kondisi Internal Myanmar

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The photo released by the Myanmar Military Information and News Team shows Myanmar's military junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing (right) chatting with ASEAN Chairman's Special Envoy Aluenko Kittikhoun (left) in Naypyidaw, Myanmar on Wednesday (10/1/2024).

NAYPYIDAW, THURSDAY — The leader of the Myanmar military junta, General Min Aung Hlaing, reiterated that the implementation of the five-point consensus developed by ASEAN cannot completely align with the organization's intentions. Hlaing stated that the application of the five points agreed upon in Jakarta on April 24th, 2021, will always be adjusted in accordance with the roadmap developed by the junta government.

The emphasis was conveyed by Hlaing during the visit of ASEAN Chair Special Envoy for Myanmar Alunkeo Kittikhoun, in Naypidaw, on Wednesday (10/1/2024). In the meeting, Kittikhoun was accompanied by the Ambassador of Laos to Myanmar and several staff members.

Also Read: ASEAN Enters a Year of Anxious Expectations

Hlaing, the leader of the military coup in Myanmar, stated on February 1st, 2021, that they have taken power and are currently responsible for managing the government. The takeover of power was due to alleged fraud in the November 2020 election. Hlaing also accused the civilian government of engaging in armed terrorism without resolving the country's political controversies and issues.

The photo released by the Indonesian Presidential Palace on April 24, 2021, shows Myanmar junta leader General Min Aung Hlaing (bottom right corner) participating in the ASEAN leaders' meeting at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta.

On the other hand, as quoted from the Global New Light of Myanmar, Hlaing stated that under the control of the military who established the State Administration Council, they are trying to ensure peace and a stable situation in the country. Hlaing claimed that the junta is also working to strengthen the multi-party democracy system that has long been the aspiration of the people of Myanmar.

Hlaing stated that what the junta is currently pursuing is part of the five-point ASEAN consensus adopted by them, which includes efforts to stabilize the political and security situation as well as a part of the country's political vision. According to Hlaing, the junta also does not close the door to humanitarian assistance sent by ASEAN.

Also Read: UN Special Rapporteur Urges Indonesia-ASEAN to Change Approach to Myanmar Crisis

The meeting of ASEAN leaders at the ASEAN Secretariat on April 24, 2021, which was also attended by Hlaing, resulted in five things that Tatmadaw could implement, namely the immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar, the need for constructive dialogue towards a peaceful solution, the appointment of a special envoy as a mediator for dialogue, humanitarian aid, and the visit of ASEAN special envoys and delegations to Myanmar. However, until the end of 2023, when the ASEAN chairmanship is handed over from Indonesia to Laos, according to the organization's assessment, many points of consensus content have not been implemented.

In fact, on their journey, the junta stipulated that they would implement the contents of the consensus if the country's conditions were stable.

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Air strikes carried out by the Myanmar Air Force destroyed residential buildings belonging to residents in Waraisuplia Village in the state of Kayah, Myanmar, on February 18, 2022.

The national dialogue desired by ASEAN has so far not been possible because the Tatmadaw, as the Myanmar military is known, and the junta have designated the opposition group, which has now established itself as the Myanmar Unity Government (NUG), as a terror group. The junta and Tatmadaw continue to fight the NUG, PDF (people's defense force) armed forces which currently control several provinces in the northern region of Myanmar. Apart from that, the Tatmadaw is also dealing with armed groups from ethnic groups who are trying to separate themselves from Myanmar.

Not solid yet

In ASEAN, there is no consensus on efforts to resolve the Myanmar issue. Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia are three countries that are considered to take a tough stance against the junta. In contrast, other ASEAN members, such as Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, are less critical of the ruling generals, as is Thailand.

Myanmar TV station, MRTV, mentioned that members of the National Ceasefire Agreement signing Ethic Armed Organization, a group established nine years ago to seek ways to end the armed conflict with Tatmadaw, recently held a meeting with Alounkeo. However, none of the group's members currently engaged in fighting with Tatmadaw were present. Thus, the relevance of their participation in peace efforts is considered minimal.

AFP/POOL/KHAM

The photo taken on September 13, 2018 shows the leader of Myanmar's National League for Democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi, attending a meeting with Vietnamese President Train Dai Quang on the sidelines of the ASEAN World Economic Forum in Hanoi, Vietnam.

It is not known whether Alounkeo met with Aung San Suu Kyi, who was arrested when the military seized power. The 78-year-old Suu Kyi is currently serving a 27-year prison sentence in Naypyidaw after being found guilty on several charges filed by the military. The junta never granted permission for previous ASEAN special envoys, who came alternately from Brunei, Cambodia, and Indonesia, to meet with Suu Kyi.

Burden for Laos

Aluenko, former Ambassador of Laos to the UN, also did not release any official statement regarding this visit and meeting. However, a statement regarding Myanmar was conveyed by Laos Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith during a public lecture at the Yusof-Ishak Institute in Singapore last week.

Also Read: The Issue of Myanmar Divides ASEAN

Kommasith, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister of Laos, was quoted by Singaporean media The Business Times as saying that it was impossible for Laos to resolve the problems in Myanmar while holding the chairmanship of ASEAN . He views that resolving Myanmar's problems is a continuous process.

KOMPAS/ADRYAN YOGA PARAMADWYA

Chairman of the Thai Delegation Sarun Charoensuwan, Prime Minister of Timor Leste Xanana Gusmao, Prime Minister of Laos Sonexay Siphandone, Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Hassanal Bolkiah, Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong, and Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh, along with President of Indonesia Joko Widodo, Coordinator Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto (from left to right), and other ASEAN leaders visited an exhibition of innovative and inclusive projects from a number of companies at Hotel Mulia, Jakarta, on Tuesday (5/9/2023).

"It would be a miracle if, during Laos' leadership, the Myanmar issue can be resolved, so we hope Malaysia can continue it," he said.

Also Read: ASEAN Troika to Settle the Myanmar Issue

At the ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, ASEAN leaders agreed to form a troika as a new step to continue the process of resolving the conflict situation in Myanmar. The troika consists of the current ASEAN chair, Laos, the previous chair, Indonesia, and the next chair, Malaysia.

Kommasith acknowledges the formation of a troika as an effort to solve the problem in Myanmar to help alleviate the burden on Laos. He mentioned that all parties should realize that the Myanmar issue will not be resolved in just one or two years. The holder of ASEAN chairmanship mandate, he said, must receive assistance from other countries to help them resolve this issue.

Also Read: Resolving the Myanmar Crisis is Dead Ended, What Can Indonesia Do?

"The principle behind the ASEAN troika is that we want to ensure its continuity as we have recognized the fact that the issue in Myanmar will not be resolved in the next two years. We want the good work that has been done by the previous chair to be continued and passed on to the next chair," he said. (AP)