Myanmar: Can ASEAN play a stronger role?

AWANI

As violence in Myanmar escalates, Adrian Pereira from NSI discusses how ASEAN should step in to stabilise the situation ahead of next month's elections.

Transcript

00:00As violence in Myanmar escalates under the military junta,

00:04hundreds of Rohingya refugees continue to flee worsening conditions.

00:09Just last week, one boat carrying refugees sank off the coast of Malaysia,

00:14leaving nearly 30 people dead.

00:16Ahead of next month's elections, Adrian Pereira from North-South Initiative

00:20discusses how ASEAN should step in to stabilize the situation.

00:25The problem with ASEAN is holding leaders accountable.

00:32The nature, the very structure of ASEAN itself does not allow that to happen.

00:38So it's time that ASEAN takes a hard position on this.

00:43And, you know, just sending people to observe a sham election

00:50is just a waste of time and effort.

00:56If the government was really, if the ASEAN governments were really

01:00rights-based and practicing what they should be,

01:04they should send a fact-finding mission at a much earlier stage

01:10to observe what is going on because there are so many advanced ways

01:16of, you know, of committing fraud during elections.

01:21And, you know, from scaring people into turning up at the voting station

01:28to, you know, physical violence, escalating un-conflict in the time of election.

01:37So there are many tricks that could happen.

01:40And it's important that the fact-finding mission is sent at a much earlier time

01:45in advance to make sure that things are safe.

01:50Of course, as a government, the junta governing has its own right to go ahead.

01:58But, you know, ASEAN has a role to play.

02:02And it cannot be business as usual where, you know, we put non-interference and consensus.

02:11With the Philippines set to assume the chairmanship in 2026,

02:15Adrian stresses the need for strong leadership and political will.

02:18So, as a bloc, Philippines has to continue the dialogues

02:26and make a position that, you know, that will protect the dignity of everyone,

02:35especially the Myanmar people who are just suffering in such a horrible, horrendous manner.

02:42So it's important that the different mechanisms operate, collaborate.

02:47I think, His Excellency in AICHA, the different representatives from Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand,

02:56Malaysia have been very proactive and impressively push the leader.

03:01So, I believe that more concerted efforts, especially if done together with the people of Myanmar,

03:11I feel we are not listening enough to them.

03:14Of course, they are historical political parties, armed groups, international community members,

03:22the Rohingyas also.

03:24I think we need to factor in their voices as they have the local wisdom historically to answer.

03:31So, let's not depend on the politicians.

03:34Let's go back to the grassroots.

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