In the Asean bloc’s internal debate on whether engagement or a hardline stance with Myanmar’s junta will force coup-maker Min Aung Hlaing to abide by a peace plan for the strife-torn country, the cabal of countries favouring the latter strategy appears to have the upper hand – for now.
This week’s announcement by Cambodia – the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ current chair – that the junta would remain banned from attending the bloc’s talks is a clear indication that the likes of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore remain steadfast in their positions on the matter, observers say.
The three neighbours have been the most vocal in recent months about using a harder approach to compel junta chief Min Aung Hlaing to abide by a five-point peace plan agreed last April.
