Myanmar’s Actions Threaten ASEAN Centrality, Says Singapore’s Defence Minister

Tags: ASEAN centrality, Myanmar crisis, regional cooperation, ADMM, Southeast Asia

Myanmar’s Behavior Challenges ASEAN’s Unity

Singapore’s Defence Minister, Dr. Ng Eng Hen, expressed concern over Myanmar’s conduct, warning that it could jeopardize the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) centrality. Speaking at the 18th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) in Laos, he stated that Myanmar’s actions risk undermining the credibility of ASEAN’s highest defence consultative mechanism, which has been carefully developed over the past two decades.

ASEAN Centrality at Risk

ASEAN centrality emphasizes the bloc’s leadership in regional diplomacy and cooperation. Dr. Ng noted that Myanmar’s behavior was inconsistent with the Five-Point Consensus, a peace plan adopted by ASEAN to resolve the crisis in Myanmar. He urged Myanmar to avoid using ASEAN for internal political motives and called for unity among member states to safeguard ADMM’s integrity.

The Ongoing Crisis in Myanmar

Since the military coup in February 2021, Myanmar has been mired in unrest, with the junta struggling to maintain control. Protests, violence, and displacement continue, with over 5,000 civilians killed and 3.3 million displaced, according to the United Nations. The junta’s disregard for the Five-Point Consensus has exacerbated tensions within ASEAN, hindering decision-making processes.

Future Steps for ASEAN

Dr. Ng encouraged ASEAN members to work together to address these challenges while maintaining the bloc’s credibility and centrality. The ADMM resolved to revisit unresolved issues in the coming year, emphasizing the need for collective action to ensure the effectiveness of regional defence cooperation.