ASEAN consensus needed on Myanmar, Malaysia says

0 Comments | Asian Political News, July 28, 2003

KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 Kyodo

There must be a consensus in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on how to handle Myanmar, which has ignored international pleas to release democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar said Tuesday.

''There is a need for it to be discussed and for ASEAN countries to arrive at a consensus,'' he told reporters in an attempt to downplay Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's remarks over the weekend to the media saying Myanmar faces expulsion, as a last resort, if it continues to detain Suu Kyi.

''We are not trying to interfere in the internal affairs of Myanmar, but our prime minister has just reminded Myanmar of the importance of Aung Sang Suu Kyi being released and the reconciliation process not being derailed,'' Syed Hamid said.

The issue, he added, has affected ASEAN's credibility, especially Malaysia's, which was instrumental in promoting Myanmar's acceptance into the group through its policy of ''constructive engagement.''

The arrest of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate led to an unprecedented move by ASEAN last month when they took leave from their strongly held policy of noninterference and jointly called for Myanmar to release Suu Kyi.

''We are willing to say out to fellow ASEAN country, not in a confrontational way but in a way for Myanmar to take heed of the view of the international community...it must be looked at as a word from a good friend,'' Syed Hamid said.

He believes ASEAN should work out the Myanmar issue itself rather than involving parties outside the region such as those at the upcoming Asia-Europe Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Bali where Myanmar is one of the top agenda items.

''It is better for internal persuasion rather than strong external pressure that will force them into more difficult situation...the first forum to discuss the question of Myanmar should be ASEAN countries. We should not jeopardize our cohesiveness,'' he said.

Syed Hamid urged Myanmar to set a definite date for Suu Kyi's release to appease the international community, which has threatened sanctions against Myanmar's ruling generals.

''They must show that they are willing to continue with the reconciliation process,'' he said.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.