00:00Welcome to the panel, ASEAN, Even Stronger Together.
00:13We have built that consensus not to just use this forum.
00:19ASEAN is just for diplomatic and peaceful resolution, which is very critical.
00:25I think we have passed that.
00:26Even in the more contentious issue like Myanmar, we have that consensus to reach an agreement through a five-point consensus.
00:35We are working towards it. I think Julie will probably highlight that a bit.
00:39But then, for this year, the understanding or the consensus is to focus first on energy, ASEAN energy grid.
00:50Grid, alternative technology, energy that covers the whole of former Indochina, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines,
01:02including the undersea cable from Sarawak.
01:06Then second is connectivity, digital, includes AI.
01:11So the region is now focusing on this issue so that there is better understanding between these countries.
01:17But again, the fundamentals still remain economic.
01:21People say, of course, they are contending forces, competing among ourselves.
01:26Not necessarily so because we share and I think there's enough of interest into the region,
01:35Malaysia and the region generally being attractive.
01:39We are more concerned also about the principle of inclusivity.
01:44You need to be sustainable, but you need to be inclusive.
01:46We tend to engage and form a policy that will benefit one another.
01:52Because if you do not cater for that, then there will not be peace and tranquility among neighbours, as you have seen in the case of Myanmar.
02:02We are able to engage and navigate, of course, more precarious.
02:07The problem is not our problem, it is forced upon us and we should not be compelled to take positions against anyone.
02:20Myanmar is a member of ASEAN.
02:23It is strategically positioned with China, India, Bangladesh, Thailand and Laos as neighbours.
02:30It is resource rich.
02:32It has a young, educated population, but it has a very long history of internal conflict.
02:40In 2014, for example, Myanmar hosted the ASEAN Regional Forum in Naypyidaw.
02:48The world was very optimistic that Myanmar was transitioning from a military to a civilian government.
02:57Foreign direct investment flooded in.
02:59We, the international community, expected it to transition into one of those superpowers of ASEAN.
03:09ASEAN did step up to the mark and held a summit and came up with, as Prime Minister Ibrahim said, a five-point consensus plan as a way forward.
03:19As a result of the military takeover, hostilities broke out across the country.
03:24Ethnic armed organisations became very well organised, very well armed.
03:30The internal conflict and the subsequent humanitarian disaster has only escalated as territorial gains and losses on the battlefield dictate what is happening to the community.
03:44It is frustrating that the five-point consensus plan has not been implemented in a way or at a scale and a speed that we would wish.
03:55The situation in Myanmar is deteriorating.
03:58But I do see a light at the end of the tunnel with Malaysia's chairmanship of ASEAN and their new special envoy,
04:07a commitment that we will work together and an understanding of all of the voices in Myanmar
04:14that the humanitarian situation has gone on far too long, the violence and fighting must stop,
04:23the transnational crime that is flourishing in the vacuum must be brought under control
04:28and that only ASEAN and the United Nations and well-meaning neighbours will be able to influence that outcome.
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