Indonesia Calls on ASEAN’s Support in Myanmar Peace Process

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto and Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi take photo with delegations of 18th APSC in Singapura, Tuesday (13/11). (Photo: PR of Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs)

ASEAN countries are expected to take part in the Myanmar peace process due to the considerable complexity of the issue, Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto has said.

“The most important thing is that ASEAN countries must issue a statement regarding the problems faced by Myanmar because ASEAN cooperation is comprehensive and includes economic as well as security issues,” Wiranto said at the 18^th ASEAN Political and Security Council (APSC) meeting in Singapore, Tuesday (13/11).

Apart from Myanmar issues, two issues discussed by representatives from ASEAN countries include cyber security issues and new intelligence-sharing initiative called ‘Our Eyes’.

Regarding cyber security issues, Wiranto explained that the development of the Internet is extraordinary, with around 640 million Internet users in ASEAN itself.

According to Wiranto, people use the Internet for positive things, such as for communication, e-commerce, and trade, but it is undeniable that some people also misuse it for negative things, such as for carrying out terrorism acts, for spreading certain propaganda and deviant teachings. Therefore, cyber security cooperation is of utmost importance, Wiranto added.

“We can share experiences on how to tackle cyber terrorism and terrorism financing,” said Wiranto, adding that every country also needs to update information because the terrorists’ skills and methods are also improving.

“We should stay updated on the latest information and technology so we can outsmart them,” the Minister said.

Regarding the Our Eyes issue, Wiranto said that Our Eyes is a form of sharing information and intelligence that involves many aspects, including terrorism. “Our Eyes is a cooperation initiated by the Indonesian Ministry of Defense to develop information and intelligence sharing among ASEAN countries because we are currently facing inter-state crimes; thus, cooperation between countries is crucial to tackle these issues,” the Minister said.

“Therefore, the Indonesian Government invites ASEAN member countries to join the initiative so that the Government can carry out a systematic plan to fight transnational crimes, particularly in the ASEAN territory,” Wiranto added. (PR of Coordinating Ministry of Political, Legal and Security Affairs/ES)

Translated by: Estu Widyamurti
Edited by: Muhammad Ersan Pamungkas