Asean defence chiefs call for end to Myanmar crisis, Israel-Gaza war
- Defence ministers from Indonesia and Malaysia have called for a truce, saying terrorism is condemned and ‘parties must exercise utmost restraint and de-escalate’
- In a joint declaration, the Asean defence chiefs also reiterated the bloc’s call for Myanmar’s junta rulers to implement an agreed five-point peace plan
Southeast Asian defence ministers called for an end to the Myanmar crisis and to the Israel-Gaza war on Wednesday as they gathered for talks that will include meetings with regional counterparts and the Pentagon chief.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) meetings in Jakarta were dominated by issues ranging from the Myanmar crisis to the conflict between Israel and Hamas, as well as Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea.
Muslim-majority Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo called on US President Joe Biden this week to help bring about a ceasefire in Gaza.
His defence minister Prabowo Subianto opened talks on Wednesday echoing that call, saying he was “deeply saddened” by events in the Palestinian territory, where Israel has launched a relentless assault to destroy Hamas in response to attacks on October 7.
Malaysian Defence Minister Mohamad Hasan also called for a truce, saying Kuala Lumpur condemned “terrorism in all its forms” and the killing of civilians.
“Further loss of life, suffering and destruction should stop and parties must exercise utmost restraint and de-escalate,” he said.
Conversely, Singapore took a firm position against Hamas and strongly condemned the October 7 attacks. Singapore has close defence relations with Israel, and its strong stance against Hamas leaves it out of step with its larger Muslim-majority neighbours.
