Rejecting ASEAN's 5-Point Consensus, Philippines Should Withdraw from ASEAN, Interim Parliament Approves Proposal

It has been learned that Myanmar's interim parliament has rejected ASEAN's 5-Point Consensus, which was accepted by the military leader turned interim president Min Aung Hlaing, and has approved a proposal that the current chair, the Philippines, which has excluded them, should withdraw from ASEAN. It was reported in the interim government's propaganda media that the ASEAN 5-Point Consensus, submitted by a Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) member to the interim parliament (Pyidaungsu Hluttaw) that emerged from the fraudulent 2025 election after the military coup, was supported and approved by USDP members themselves on July 9. Bwe Let Oo Hla Swe, a USDP member, presented to the interim parliament that since there is no restriction on not attending meetings if the ASEAN 5-Point Consensus is not followed, the Philippines, as the ASEAN chair, has no right to block the interim government, including its interim president Min Aung Hlaing. "This is our nation's dignity, and Myanmar has taken the correct stance, so there is no need to withdraw. The statement was issued after the meeting. The Philippines has violated the covenant, so it should withdraw from ASEAN," said Bwe Let Oo Hla Swe. He further stated that long-term exclusion could lead to negative consequences, allowing external powers to invite Myanmar and exert influence in the region, and although ASEAN should be more united, it is regrettable to see the basic principles being ignored and restrictive measures being implemented. Similarly, it was learned that the puppet interim members also rejected the ASEAN 5-Point Consensus, stating that it does not align with the current situation, interferes in Myanmar's internal affairs, and harms equality, and the interim parliament approved it without any objections. Currently, due to the military coup, interim president Min Aung Hlaing has been excluded by ASEAN since the 5-Point Consensus was adopted at the summit held in Jakarta in April 2021, which he last attended, as he has not yet complied with it, and ASEAN has stated that it does not recognize the fraudulent 2025 election. Observers point out that to overcome these situations, the interim government is seeking assistance from some countries with which it is in contact and cooperating, while at the same time criticizing and accusing ASEAN and the United Nations, and having puppet members submit proposals to the interim parliament for rejection and approval. The 5-Point Consensus imposed by ASEAN on the coup military group includes an immediate cessation of violence in Myanmar, constructive dialogue among all parties concerned, ASEAN chair's special envoy to facilitate mediation of dialogue processes, provision of humanitarian assistance, and dispatch of an ASEAN special envoy team to Myanmar to meet with parties concerned. Photo – Interim Parliament