ASEAN Summit: fight against trafficking and end violence in Myanmar

The Indonesian president closed the meeting of Southeast Asian nations in the coastal town of Labuan Bajo. He stressed that dialogue with the Burmese coup generals does not imply recognizing the regime. Attention to economic challenges to avoid external interference in the regional bloc.

Jakarta () – Yesterday afternoon, in the coastal city of Labuan Bajo, on the island of Flores, eastern Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo officially closed the two days of the 42nd summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), recalling the main issues addressed by member countries: human trafficking, which recruits people to work in the online scam business, and violence in Myanmar.

Accompanied by the Indonesian Minister of Defense, Retno Marsudi, and Secretary of State, Pratikno, Jokowi then vindicated the success of the meeting of regional leaders: “I sincerely hope that ASEAN will be strong enough to face the various challenges that are coming and continue to maintain its economic strength in the region.

In the presence of all ASEAN leaders – except the general of the Burmese coup junta, who was not invited, and the Thai prime minister, who was unavailable because of the elections – Jokowi also stressed that ASEAN is fact, a great family: “Unity among the ASEAN countries is very important, since we are called to work for common goals, including becoming epicenters of growth and making our peoples live in harmony, peace and prosperity.

“I strongly urge all ASEAN leaders to pay close attention to these humanitarian issues and bring all accomplices to justice,” Jokowi said, referring to the plague of human trafficking, which is made possible through various networks. criminals operating on the Internet. New crime hotspots have emerged recently, particularly in the Philippines, where job seekers are tricked with bogus job offers, then arrested and forced to scam potential clients in Europe and North America online.

“Based on the so-called ‘5-point consensus’ among ASEAN nations,” the Indonesian president added, “we cannot continue to tolerate violence in Myanmar. We are called upon to engage on this issue with all stakeholders in the region , as ASEAN’s inclusiveness must be maintained even when it is in a difficult situation.” The regional organization’s final statement condemned the recent attack on an ASEAN convoy carrying humanitarian aid to Myanmar.

However, so far the diplomatic activity of Southeast Asian countries has not been effective in resolving the civil war in the former Burma, where a brutal conflict has been raging since the army coup that overthrew the government led by Aung San Suu. Kyi on February 1, 2021.

Indonesia, Jokowi explained, is also willing to talk with the coup generals to resolve the humanitarian issue: “Engaging does not mean acknowledging the leadership of the Myanmar military junta. Communicating with them does not necessarily mean acknowledging their power,” he stressed.

Regional unity was cited by the Indonesian president as a strong point against meddling from outside powers: “It is clear that our unity is undeniably important,” because without it the group could face threats from other countries, “and I’m pretty sure that none of the ASEAN leaders want that to happen,” he added.

Finally, the Indonesian President commented that regional association and cooperation should be carried out taking into account the various challenges and actions that need to be coordinated, including financial transactions in regional currency and digital financial payments, which should be enhanced. “This item is in line with ASEAN’s goal of becoming an epicenter of economic growth and making the regional grouping increasingly independent,” Jokowi said.