VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

ASEAN's toughest sanction for Myanmar is to vacate the delegation, according to Suzie Sudarman, an international relations observer from the University of Indonesia. He issued this view following the social turmoil that has resurfaced in Myanmar and ASEAN's response to the turmoil.

The Myanmar military junta accidentally dropped a bomb during a music concert in Kachin, northern Myanmar, on Sunday (10/23/2022). On Thursday (27/10/2022), the foreign ministers of ASEAN members held an emergency meeting without a Myanmar delegation.​

"ASEAN can vacate the Myanmar delegation. Do not invite them to the meeting, unless they want to leave," said Suzie to Pro3 RRI, Saturday (29/10/2022).​

But, he said, if a country were to leave an international organization, it would take a long time. He gave an example with Britain leaving the European Union, otherwise known as Brexit.

According to him, what ASEAN can do with Myanmar regarding the military operation is to hold an emergency meeting. All ASEAN members, without the Myanmar delegation, discussed Myanmar.

"The meeting, to remind again, ASEAN will act decisively against Myanmar. On the basis of not applying the five points (which) ASEAN recommended," said Suzie.

According to him, ASEAN has set the Five Consensus in 2021. Its contents include reducing violence.

Another point is the constructive dialogue between the warring parties. However, in August 2022, Myanmar Army General Min Aung Hlaing stated that he could not implement the consensus.

"Because of stability problems, domestic political problems (Myanmar, ed) are not good enough to carry out this," said Suzie.

The issue of Myanmar's internal political stability makes it difficult for the regime to implement it, plus the recent case of the bombing in Kachin, northern Myanmar. According to an AFP report, the bomb was dropped from a Myanmar Junta plane at a time when people were at a music concert.

"In Kachin, (the region, ed) there are separatist groups. So, ASEAN cannot intervene. The most that can be done is to press ahead and take sanctions," said Suzie.

According to him, ASEAN also does not have any provisions related to removing its members. He explained that this is common in international organizations, such as what happened at the United Nations. (RRI)