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New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Asean needs emergency override mechanisms to address regional crises
WHAT happens when a neighbourhood's long-standing "mind your own business" rule becomes a dangerous barrier during a life-threatening crisis? This question perfectly captures Asean's current dilemma with Myanmar's political upheaval. Imagine living in a community where houses are built close together, and when one catches fire, the flames quickly spread to others. Yet the neighbourhood association has a strict rule: never interfere in your neighbour's problems. On Feb 1, 2021, the elected Myanmar government was overthrown, halting a decade of democratic progress. The military arrested key leaders, including Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, dissolved its Parliament, and declared a state of emergency. What followed was a systematic assault on Myanmar's civil society that launched the country into chaos and violence. The coup's aftermath has been devastating, with the military launching brutal crackdowns on peaceful protesters, using live ammunition against civilians, and conducting mass arrests. The numbers confirm an alarming humanitarian crisis because of the large number of casualties. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners reports that over 4,000 civilians lost their lives while 25,000 people were arbitrarily detained, and 1.2 million people were forced to abandon their homes. The military purposefully attacked hospitals and healthcare staff leading to the destruction of public health infrastructure, according to Physicians for Human Rights. Schools remain closed while teachers encounter persecution as a result. Military operations actively target educational institutions to weaken civilian resistance while they consolidate their control over the country. Myanmar's situation extends beyond domestic political issues because it threatens to disrupt the stability of the whole region for Asean. Due to military actions, there are large refugee movements into Thailand, Bangladesh and India, and border areas have turned into centres for drug trafficking and arms smuggling. Asean members must decide how to handle situations where internal member state crises evolve into security threats that demand collective action. Myanmar's problems have become everyone's problems. The military's control extends beyond politics through massive business conglomerates that control jade mining, telecommunications, banking, and real estate — generating billions annually. This economic power makes them resistant to external pressure. Economically, Myanmar has suffered severe decline with the kyat currency depreciating sharply, and foreign investors withdrawing. The World Bank last year reported Myanmar's economy contracted by 18 per cent in 2021, with continued deterioration affecting vulnerable populations. Asean's response came through the Five-Point Consensus, adopted during an emergency summit in Jakarta in April 2021. For an organisation historically committed to non-interference, this represented a significant departure — like a quiet neighbour finally calling the police when the house next door becomes too dangerous. The consensus established five commitments: immediate violence cessation, constructive dialogue among all parties, appointment of a Special Envoy, humanitarian assistance provision, and unrestricted envoy access. However, implementation has proven catastrophically ineffective. Myanmar's military has systematically violated each point. Violence has intensified rather than ceased. Dialogue has been rejected outright, with the junta refusing to engage meaningfully with opposition groups or Asean representatives. Humanitarian aid has been blocked. Special Envoys have been denied meaningful access, often shown only what the military wants them to see. Myanmar's ability to obstruct collective action demonstrates how the "everyone must agree" rule paralyses response mechanisms when decisive action is needed. Subhadra, [7/8/2025 1:08 PM] The non-interference principle, once Asean's strength in preventing inter-state conflicts, has become a shield for authoritarian behaviour and protects member states from accountability for actions threatening regional stability. Asean also lacks early warning systems and rapid response capabilities, typically reacting to crises after they have escalated. Myanmar's crisis has created a domino effect across Southeast Asia. Thailand, sharing a 2,400-kilometre border with Myanmar, faces enormous pressure from refugee flows and cross-border criminal activities. Bangladesh, already struggling with over a million Rohingya refugees, now faces additional refugee burdens. India's northeastern border areas deal with refugee influx, straining local resources. Criminal networks have exploited Myanmar's governance vacuum, using the country as a base for transnational crime. The crisis has severely damaged Asean's international credibility. Despite these challenges, Malaysia's Asean chairmanship in 2025 presents a crucial opportunity for institutional renewal. Malaysia has historically played a constructive role in regional diplomacy and has the experience to lead meaningful change. The organisation urgently needs emergency override mechanisms allowing decisive action during humanitarian crises, even without unanimous consent. This doesn't mean abandoning consensus entirely, but creating exceptions for situations threatening regional peace and security. Asean must develop early warning systems and rapid response capabilities to prevent future crises from escalating. A reformed approach should combine traditional diplomatic engagement with targeted economic measures and broader stakeholder inclusion — engaging civil society organisations, the National Unity Government, and ethnic groups alongside state actors. International partnerships with the United Nations and major powers can provide additional leverage and resources. Success in resolving the Myanmar crisis will determine whether Asean can maintain its role as Southeast Asia's primary security architecture. The path forward requires balancing sovereignty respect with responsibility to protect regional peace and human rights. Asean must upgrade institutional capabilities while preserving the cooperative spirit that has made Southeast Asia peaceful.
19-07-2025
- Politics
Myanmar's military leader puts in rare appearance at event honoring Aung San Suu Kyi's father
BANGKOK -- The head of Myanmar's military government made a rare appearance at a ceremony on Saturday honoring General Aung San, an independence hero and father of jailed former leader Aung San Suu Kyi. It was the first time that 69-year-old Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing attended the Martyrs' Day wreath-laying since the army ousted Suu Kyi and seized power in February 2021. The leader's appearance comes as his embattled government is preparing to hold elections while fighting armed opposition groups across the country. Martyrs' Day was an important event in Myanmar's calendar for decades, but the military has downplayed the holiday in recent years. It commemorates the assassination of Aung San, a former Prime Minister who was gunned down at the age of 32 along with six Cabinet colleagues and two other officials in 1947, just months before the country — then called Burma — achieved freedom from British colonial rule. A political rival, former Prime Minister U Saw, was tried and hanged for plotting the attack. Suu Kyi, who was detained when the army took over in 2021, was absent from the event for a fifth consecutive year. She is currently serving a 27-year prison term on what are widely regarded as contrived charges meant to keep her from political activity. She has not been seen in public since her arrest. Ye Aung Than, a son of Suu Kyi's estranged older brother, laid a wreath in front of his grandfather's tomb during the main ceremony at the Martyrs' Mausoleum near the foot of the towering Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. With Myanmar national flags flying at half-staff, members of the ruling military council, and cabinet, as well as high-ranking military generals joined Min Aung Hlaing in placing a basket of flowers in front of the tombs of the nine martyrs. As the ceremony was held, people in Yangon paid tribute to independence leaders by blaring car horns and sirens at 10:37 a.m., the time of the 1947 attack. Democracy supporters also held scattered rallies in parts of the country that are not under military control. The event comes five months before elections that the military has promised to hold by the end of this year. The poll is widely seen as an attempt to legitimize the military's seizure of power through the ballot box and is expected to deliver a result that ensures the generals retain control. The 2021 military takeover was met with widespread nonviolent protests, but after peaceful demonstrations were put down with lethal force, many opponents of military rule took up arms, and large parts of the country are now embroiled in conflict. Since the army took power, 6,974 people including poets, activists, politicians and others have been killed, and 29,405 people have been arrested by the security forces, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, an independent organization that keeps detailed tallies of arrests and casualties linked to the nation's political conflicts. The military government calls that figure an exaggeration. The military, which is now estimated to control less than half the country, has been accelerating its counter-offensives to retake areas controlled by opposition groups ahead of the election.
Nikkei Asia
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Nikkei Asia
Myanmar's military leader appears at event for Suu Kyi's father
BANGKOK (AP) -- The head of Myanmar's military government made a rare appearance at a ceremony on Saturday honoring General Aung San, an independence hero and father of jailed former leader Aung San Suu Kyi. It was the first time that 69-year-old Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing attended the Martyrs' Day wreath-laying since the army ousted Suu Kyi and seized power in February 2021. The leader's appearance comes as his embattled government is preparing to hold elections while fighting armed opposition groups across the country. Martyrs' Day was an important event in Myanmar's calendar for decades, but the military has downplayed the holiday in recent years. It commemorates the assassination of Aung San, a former Prime Minister who was gunned down at the age of 32 along with six Cabinet colleagues and two other officials in 1947, just months before the country - then called Burma - achieved freedom from British colonial rule. A political rival, former Prime Minister U Saw, was tried and hanged for plotting the attack. Suu Kyi, who was detained when the army took over in 2021, was absent from the event for a fifth consecutive year. She is currently serving a 27-year prison term on what are widely regarded as contrived charges meant to keep her from political activity. She has not been seen in public since her arrest. Ye Aung Than, a son of Suu Kyi's estranged older brother, laid a wreath in front of his grandfather's tomb during the main ceremony at the Martyrs' Mausoleum near the foot of the towering Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. With Myanmar national flags flying at half-staff, members of the ruling military council, and cabinet, as well as high-ranking military generals joined Min Aung Hlaing in placing a basket of flowers in front of the tombs of the nine martyrs. As the ceremony was held, people in Yangon paid tribute to independence leaders by blaring car horns and sirens at 10:37 a.m., the time of the 1947 attack. Democracy supporters also held scattered rallies in parts of the country that are not under military control. The military government is planning elections later this year The event comes five months before elections that the military has promised to hold by the end of this year. The poll is widely seen as an attempt to legitimize the military's seizure of power through the ballot box and is expected to deliver a result that ensures the generals retain control. The 2021 military takeover was met with widespread nonviolent protests, but after peaceful demonstrations were put down with lethal force, many opponents of military rule took up arms, and large parts of the country are now embroiled in conflict. Since the army took power, 6,974 people including poets, activists, politicians and others have been killed, and 29,405 people have been arrested by the security forces, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, an independent organization that keeps detailed tallies of arrests and casualties linked to the nation's political conflicts. The military government calls that figure an exaggeration. The military, which is now estimated to control less than half the country, has been accelerating its counter-offensives to retake areas controlled by opposition groups ahead of the election.
Hamilton Spectator
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Myanmar's military leader puts in rare appearance at event honoring Aung San Suu Kyi's father
BANGKOK (AP) — The head of Myanmar's military government made a rare appearance at a ceremony on Saturday honoring General Aung San, an independence hero and father of jailed former leader Aung San Suu Kyi. It was the first time that 69-year-old Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing attended the Martyrs' Day wreath-laying since the army ousted Suu Kyi and seized power in February 2021. The leader's appearance comes as his embattled government is preparing to hold elections while fighting armed opposition groups across the country. Martyrs' Day was an important event in Myanmar's calendar for decades, but the military has downplayed the holiday in recent years. It commemorates the assassination of Aung San, a former Prime Minister who was gunned down at the age of 32 along with six Cabinet colleagues and two other officials in 1947, just months before the country — then called Burma — achieved freedom from British colonial rule. A political rival, former Prime Minister U Saw, was tried and hanged for plotting the attack. Suu Kyi was absent from the ceremony for a fifth year Suu Kyi, who was detained when the army took over in 2021, was absent from the event for a fifth consecutive year. She is currently serving a 27-year prison term on what are widely regarded as contrived charges meant to keep her from political activity. She has not been seen in public since her arrest. Ye Aung Than, a son of Suu Kyi's estranged older brother, laid a wreath in front of his grandfather's tomb during the main ceremony at the Martyrs' Mausoleum near the foot of the towering Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. With Myanmar national flags flying at half-staff, members of the ruling military council, and cabinet, as well as high-ranking military generals joined Min Aung Hlaing in placing a basket of flowers in front of the tombs of the nine martyrs. As the ceremony was held, people in Yangon paid tribute to independence leaders by blaring car horns and sirens at 10:37 a.m., the time of the 1947 attack. Democracy supporters also held scattered rallies in parts of the country that are not under military control. The military government is planning elections later this year The event comes five months before elections that the military has promised to hold by the end of this year. The poll is widely seen as an attempt to legitimize the military's seizure of power through the ballot box and is expected to deliver a result that ensures the generals retain control. The 2021 military takeover was met with widespread nonviolent protests, but after peaceful demonstrations were put down with lethal force, many opponents of military rule took up arms, and large parts of the country are now embroiled in conflict. Since the army took power, 6,974 people including poets, activists, politicians and others have been killed, and 29,405 people have been arrested by the security forces, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, an independent organization that keeps detailed tallies of arrests and casualties linked to the nation's political conflicts. The military government calls that figure an exaggeration. The military, which is now estimated to control less than half the country, has been accelerating its counter-offensives to retake areas controlled by opposition groups ahead of the election. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Myanmar's military leader puts in rare appearance at event honoring Aung San Suu Kyi's father
BANGKOK (AP) — The head of Myanmar's military government made a rare appearance at a ceremony on Saturday honoring General Aung San, an independence hero and father of jailed former leader Aung San Suu Kyi. It was the first time that 69-year-old Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing attended the Martyrs' Day wreath-laying since the army ousted Suu Kyi and seized power in February 2021. The leader's appearance comes as his embattled government is preparing to hold elections while fighting armed opposition groups across the country. Martyrs' Day was an important event in Myanmar's calendar for decades, but the military has downplayed the holiday in recent years. It commemorates the assassination of Aung San, a former Prime Minister who was gunned down at the age of 32 along with six Cabinet colleagues and two other officials in 1947, just months before the country — then called Burma — achieved freedom from British colonial rule. A political rival, former Prime Minister U Saw, was tried and hanged for plotting the attack. Suu Kyi was absent from the ceremony for a fifth year Suu Kyi, who was detained when the army took over in 2021, was absent from the event for a fifth consecutive year. She is currently serving a 27-year prison term on what are widely regarded as contrived charges meant to keep her from political activity. She has not been seen in public since her arrest. Ye Aung Than, a son of Suu Kyi's estranged older brother, laid a wreath in front of his grandfather's tomb during the main ceremony at the Martyrs' Mausoleum near the foot of the towering Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. With Myanmar national flags flying at half-staff, members of the ruling military council, and cabinet, as well as high-ranking military generals joined Min Aung Hlaing in placing a basket of flowers in front of the tombs of the nine martyrs. As the ceremony was held, people in Yangon paid tribute to independence leaders by blaring car horns and sirens at 10:37 a.m., the time of the 1947 attack. Democracy supporters also held scattered rallies in parts of the country that are not under military control. The military government is planning elections later this year The event comes five months before elections that the military has promised to hold by the end of this year. The poll is widely seen as an attempt to legitimize the military's seizure of power through the ballot box and is expected to deliver a result that ensures the generals retain control. The 2021 military takeover was met with widespread nonviolent protests, but after peaceful demonstrations were put down with lethal force, many opponents of military rule took up arms, and large parts of the country are now embroiled in conflict. Since the army took power, 6,974 people including poets, activists, politicians and others have been killed, and 29,405 people have been arrested by the security forces, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, an independent organization that keeps detailed tallies of arrests and casualties linked to the nation's political conflicts. The military government calls that figure an exaggeration. The military, which is now estimated to control less than half the country, has been accelerating its counter-offensives to retake areas controlled by opposition groups ahead of the election.
