Myanmar Leader Slams ASEAN Consensus as 'Discriminatory,' Vows Own Path

Myanmar's top commander, Min Aung Hlaing, has sharply criticized the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' (ASEAN) Five-Point Consensus as "discriminatory" towards the country, framing it as interference in domestic affairs. These remarks were made during a speech to parliament marking his first 100 days in office as the head of a military-backed civilian administration, following the 2021 military coup he led. "The government noted that although some ASEAN member states had, over the past five years, adopted positions and practices that it regarded as discriminatory towards Myanmar, Myanmar had exercised patience and continued to cooperate in accordance with its responsibilities as an ASEAN member state," Min Aung Hlaing stated, according to a transcript published by the Myanmar News Agency. He further argued that the Five-Point Consensus was "not the consensus of all ASEAN member states" and was merely a statement by the then-ASEAN chair, Brunei. This aligns with a recent statement by Myanmar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which claimed the Consensus was attached as an annex to a chair's statement "without prior notification and circulation of a draft" to member states, and thus "released without reaching a consensus among all Member States." The Five-Point Consensus, agreed upon at a special ASEAN summit in Jakarta in April 2021, called for an immediate cessation of violence, access to humanitarian aid, and dialogue among all parties to the conflict. However, the military junta has made little progress in implementing these points, instead opting to suppress opposition groups by force, characterizing them as "terrorists." Consequently, ASEAN has barred Myanmar's representatives from the bloc's summits since late 2021, a ban that remains in place. Min Aung Hlaing emphasized his administration's determination to pursue its own "solution" to the country's conflict. He outlined a plan to spend the first two years laying the groundwork for a new nation, followed by three years dedicated to accelerating nation-building efforts. He stated that the military's power would be strengthened and a "people's militia" would be established to ensure internal security. His administration has also invited ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) to participate in talks without preconditions, reporting discussions with 13 EAOs so far. Plans are also in motion to hold by-elections next year in 172 constituencies that were unable to vote in previous elections, alongside development plans for the agriculture, education, and tourism sectors. Furthermore, infrastructure development was highlighted as a key focus, with specific mention of the Mandalay-Muse railway connecting central Myanmar to the Chinese border and the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway project. The government is currently working on 10 power generation projects, including the controversial Myitsone Dam in Kachin State, while also pledging to continue efforts toward the construction of a nuclear power plant. These statements suggest Myanmar's intent to forge its own path in national governance and international relations, independent of ASEAN frameworks. Source: The Diplomat Indonesia