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ASEAN Calls for a Halt to Violence over Myanmar Conflict

daniel@yahoo.co.id (Daniel) — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 08:23:35 +0700

KBRN, Jakarta: Member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are calling on all parties to immediately stop violence, exercise restraint, and realise peace along the border areas of Myanmar and Thailand. "Take all necessary measures to ease tensions and ensure peace, protection and safety of all civilians, including foreign nationals and citizens of ASEAN member states," said a joint statement of ASEAN Foreign Ministers received by Indonesia Window here on Thursday (18/4/2024).

ASEAN Foreign Ministers expressed concern over Myanmar's conflicts including in Rakhine State, Myanmar which caused the displacement of civilians. ASEAN does not want any further humanitarian impact due to the escalation of all forms of conflict. "We call on all parties to take urgent measures to mitigate the impact of the conflict on civilians, including creating a safe and conducive environment," the statement said.

Ensuring the timely and safe delivery of humanitarian aid to all those in need in Myanmar without discrimination was also stressed by the regional organisation. It also called for mobilisation of support for humanitarian negotiation efforts to address the humanitarian consequences in Myanmar and an inclusive national dialogue towards a durable and comprehensive political solution in Myanmar.

ASEAN reaffirmed its commitment to assist Myanmar in finding a solution by helping to create a conducive environment through the full and speedy implementation of the Five-Point Consensus as a whole. This is because the Five-Point Consensus is considered important in helping the people of Myanmar achieve an inclusive and durable peace for peace, security and stability in the region. "We support the ongoing efforts of the AHA Centre, as well as Thailand's cross-border humanitarian initiatives, which are in line with the Five-Point Consensus and coordinated with the ASEAN Chair through the ASEAN Chair's Special Envoy for Myanmar," the statement said.

25 Rohingya civilians were killed and thousands more forced to flee their homes due to the Myanmar Military Junta's attacks last weekend. The attacks in Rakhine state were carried out through airstrikes and heavy artillery. (Daniel).

Source: Antara

Indonesia to intensify diplomacy, anticipate economic impacts of Middle East tensions

rama@voinews.id (Rama Shidqi P.) — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 13:14:45 +0700

VOInews, Jakarta: Indonesia continues to make diplomatic efforts to defuse geopolitical tensions in the Middle East that have occurred recently, said Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Retno Marsudi. It was especially amid the recent tension between Israel and Iran in a past few days.

Minister Retno stated that she had carried out intensive communication with world leaders. Minister Retno also explained that in the last two days, she communicated by telephone and exchanged messages to emphasize the importance of restraint and defuse conflict tensions.

“...Two things we convey in all communications. With the parties directly involved, what we are asking for is self-restraint and de-escalation, the importance of de-escalation," she said in a press statement after attending a meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Tuesday (16/4/2024).

The leaders included the ministers of foreign affairs from Iran, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and the European Union. Besides that, ministers of foreign affairs from Germany and the Netherlands, as well as the Deputy Secretary of State of the United States are also contacted by her.

"Meanwhile with our other friends, for example with the foreign ministers of Germany, the Netherlands, and Middle Eastern countries, we are encouraging everyone, we use our influence to prevent escalation,” she continued.

Minister Retno Marsudi also explained that diplomatic efforts had been made in international forums, including at the UN Security Council, although they had not yet produced significant progress. Furthermore, Minister Retno added that all parties currently have begun to calculate the impact if an escalation occurs.

Government to mitigate economic impacts

Meanwhile, Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto said the Indonesian government is preparing to mitigate the impact of Middle East tensions on the global economy. According to him, phenomena such as rising oil prices, global financial market uncertainty, and the rise in US dollar value should be mitigated.

“...Of course, what we have to mitigate is the shift of assets to safe havens. In this case, the US dollar, gold and nickel have also experienced increases. The exchange rate and stock price index have also weakened globally. However, compared to peer countries, Indonesia is still relatively safe," said Hartarto after attending the same meeting.

Minister Hartarto said further that the government will execute some economic policies to mitigate the impact. That includes fiscal and monetary integration, maintaining exchange rate stability.

"Of course, we need to implement several policies, including fiscal and monetary integration, maintaining exchange rate stability, maintaining the state budget and revenue, and monitoring increases in logistics and oil prices,” he continued.

Minister Airlangga also said that the government continues to carry out structural reforms, maintain investors' expectations, and strengthen competitiveness to attract long-term investment to the country.

Postpone Return to Greater Jakarta: Minister to Civil Servants

stevevoi@hotmail.com (steve) — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 08:40:10 +0700

VOInews, Jakarta: Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, Muhadjir Effendy, appealed to civil servants to postpone their return to the Jakarta-Bogor-Tangerang-Depok-Bekasi (Greater Jakarta) area to avoid heavy traffic.

At a press conference in Karawang district, West Java province, on Monday, Minister Muhadjir Effendy noted that the postponement of return travel would help the government tackle vehicular congestion over the next two day.

Source : Tempo.co

Eid Homecoming Better than Last Year: Minister

stevevoi@hotmail.com (steve) — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0700

VOI, Jakarta: Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture, Muhadjir Effendy, said that the handling of the Eid al-Fitr homecoming exodus in 2024 has been better compared to 2023.

According to Minister Muhadjir Effendyduring a review at the Cikampek Main Toll Gate on Monday, based on a coordination meeting with relevant parties, the Eid exodus and return flow until D+4 of Eid has run well.

Effendy emphasized that the safety of homecoming travelers is the most important thing during the Eid exodus and return flow.

Source : ANTARA