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JAKARTA: Indonesia has rejected a recent report suggesting that an action plan is being prepared to help the Myanmar military fulfill its promise to hold new elections.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Teuku Faizasyah told reporters on Tuesday (February 23) that Indonesia “has not published or formulated any action plan” on the situation in Myanmar. He also denied that Indonesia is pushing for new elections to be held in Myanmar.
“Indonesia from the beginning had called on all parties to find a friendly solution and an inclusive democratic process. We also call for a special meeting of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Foreign Ministers to urge all parties in Myanmar to resolve this dispute through democratic channels. Our position has not changed, ”said Mr. Faizasyah.
The spokesperson was referring to a Reuters report released Monday, citing officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The report says Indonesia is pressuring Southeast Asian neighbors to accept an action plan to prevent bloodshed in Myanmar and help the military fulfill its commitment to hold new elections and hand over power to the winner. Indonesia’s plan also calls on ASEAN to facilitate dialogue between the junta and protesters, according to the report.
“The action plan stated in a Reuters article is false,” Faizasyah said on Tuesday. “We have not formulated any action plan.”
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Faizasyah said that Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi is still gathering opinions and ideas from his ASEAN counterparts in preparation for the special meeting.
“We are still in our consultation phase,” the spokesperson said, adding that Mdm Marsudi has been touring the region to meet with his counterparts. He is scheduled to meet with Thailand’s Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai.
Faizasyah’s comments came just hours after a group of protesters arrived at the Indonesian embassy in Myanmar’s largest city, Yangon, on Tuesday, rejecting the action plan mentioned in the Reuters report.
The protesters have rejected the board’s promise of a new election, insisting that it should recognize the one held last year.
The military staged a coup on February 1 after the electoral commission rejected their allegations of fraud at the November polls. The board has promised new elections, but without setting a precise timetable.
The coup has sparked massive daily protests for nearly three weeks and strikes by many government workers.
