20-11-2024 (SINGAPORE) Singapore’s Defence Minister has issued a stark warning about Myanmar’s conduct potentially undermining the fundamental principles of Southeast Asian cooperation, during a high-level defence meeting in Laos.
Speaking at the 18th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM), Dr Ng Eng Hen expressed grave concerns about Myanmar’s actions threatening the concept of ‘ASEAN Centrality’—a cornerstone of regional diplomatic relations carefully cultivated over two decades of defence collaboration.
The stern rebuke comes amidst ongoing turmoil in Myanmar, where military rule has persisted since the February 2021 coup that overthrew the democratically elected government. The ensuing crisis has led to widespread civil unrest and international concern, with recent UN figures indicating more than 5,000 civilian casualties and the displacement of 3.3 million people.
Dr Ng pointedly criticised Myanmar’s apparent obstruction of regional initiatives, suggesting that such behaviour could severely damage the credibility of ADMM, ASEAN’s premier defence consultative forum. The Singapore Defence Ministry reported that several key issues have reached an impasse due to Myanmar’s opposition, though specific details were not disclosed.
The minister’s comments highlighted a growing frustration with Myanmar’s non-compliance with the Five-Point Consensus, a peace resolution framework endorsed by ASEAN leaders. He specifically referenced the October 2024 ASEAN Leaders’ Review, which emphasised that Myanmar’s internal crisis should not impede ASEAN’s collective decision-making processes.
In a particularly direct statement, Dr Ng cautioned Myanmar against using ASEAN as a platform for political retaliation, urging the nation not to compromise the ADMM’s position for its own agenda. He called for unity among member states to preserve ASEAN’s central role in regional affairs.
The regional bloc, comprising ten Southeast Asian nations, has historically maintained a delicate balance between diplomatic engagement and non-interference in members’ domestic affairs. However, Myanmar’s ongoing crisis has increasingly tested this approach, forcing ASEAN to adopt a more assertive stance.
Despite the current challenges, the ADMM has agreed to continue discussions on unresolved issues in the coming year, maintaining hope for diplomatic progress while grappling with one of the most significant challenges to regional stability in recent years.
