Malaysian, Indonesian leaders call on Myanmar junta to implement peace plan

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - Malaysia and Indonesia’s leaders urged Myanmar’s military junta on Thursday to implement the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) plan established by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to end the conflict in the Buddhist-majority nation.

The statement came during Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s two-day official visit to Malaysia, where he held meetings with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Widodo arrived in the capital Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, and on Thursday, the two leaders discussed bilateral and regional issues, emphasizing advancing peace, stability and security in the region.

Indonesia is the current chair of the 10-member ASEAN bloc.

The two sides discussed recent developments in Myanmar and expressed concern over the ongoing violence in the country, according to a statement from the Malaysian Foreign Ministry.

Anwar and Widodo called on Myanmar to fully implement the 5PC and reiterated their “unified position that the 5PC remains ASEAN’s main reference,” said the statement.

Soon after the February 2021 coup launched by Myanmar’s military, ASEAN issued the 5PC plan when Brunei was at the helm of the regional grouping, which included normalizing the political situation in the Southeast Asian nation.

On the bilateral front, the two leaders discussed various issues of shared concern, underscoring their “unwavering dedication to strengthening the relationship further.”

The two sides agreed on six elements, including plans to improve border crossings, strengthen border trade, promote investments, recognition of halal certification for domestic products, and maritime issues, including fishing.

Urging the European Union to work towards a “fair, equitable solution promptly,” the ministry statement said Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta will “cooperate closely to address highly detrimental discriminatory measures” against palm oil by the bloc.

Without naming anyone, Anwar and Widodo also called on “external powers” to “work together with ASEAN to undertake practical cooperation.”

In January, Anwar paid for his first overseas trip to Jakarta since taking office last November.

The trade volume between the two nations in 2021 reached approximately $23 billion.