Brunei said in a statement that a non-political figure from Myanmar would be invited to the summit, as no consensus had been reached for a political representative to attend.
“Some ASEAN member states have recommended that ASEAN allow Myanmar to restore its internal affairs and return to normalcy,” the statement said.
In response, Myanmar’s military-controlled foreign ministry said it was “deeply disappointed and strongly objected” to the summit’s exit.
“The issue of representation of Myanmar was discussed and decided without consensus and was against the objectives of ASEAN,” the foreign ministry said.
“Ignoring ASEAN’s good traditions of promoting unity in diversity and resolving differences through consultation and consensus will greatly affect the unity and centrality of ASEAN,” it said.
A spokesman for Myanmar’s military government previously attributed the decision to “foreign interference”.
Singapore’s foreign ministry said on Saturday it supported Myanmar’s removal of power, saying it was a “difficult but necessary decision” to preserve ASEAN’s credibility.
“Singapore urges Myanmar military officials to cooperate with the special envoy to ensure that the five-point agreement is swiftly and fully implemented,” the ministry said in a statement.
ASEAN’s decision to exclude Myanmar’s junta is a rare bold move for the consensus-driven bloc, which has traditionally supported a policy of engagement and non-intervention.
According to the United Nations, more than 1,000 civilians have been killed by Myanmar’s security forces, while thousands of others have been arrested, amid attacks and protests that have derailed the country’s provisional democracy and drew international condemnation. has prompted.
The junta says those estimates of the death toll have been exaggerated.
In August, Min Aung Huling declared himself prime minister of the newly formed caretaker government. In an address to the nation on August 1, he reiterated his resolve to hold elections by 2023 and said his administration was ready to work with a future regional envoy on Myanmar.
‘Reasonable downgrade’
ASEAN has faced mounting international pressure to take a tough stand against Myanmar, which has been criticized in the past for being ineffective in dealing with leaders accused of rights abuses, destroying democracy and intimidating political opponents.
A US State Department official told reporters on Friday that it was “totally reasonable and indeed wholly appropriate” for ASEAN to downplay Myanmar’s participation in the upcoming summit.
In its statement, Singapore urged Myanmar to cooperate with ASEAN’s envoy, Brunei’s second minister of foreign affairs, Eriwan Yusuf.
Eriwan has delayed a long-planned trip to the country in recent weeks and called on all parties in Myanmar to meet, including ousted leader Suu Kyi.
Junta spokesman Jaw Min Tun said Eriwan would be welcomed to Myanmar this week but would not be allowed to meet Suu Kyi because she is accused of crimes.
Malaysia’s foreign minister said it would be for the Myanmar regime to decide on an alternate representative for the summit.
Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah told reporters, “We never thought of withdrawing Myanmar from ASEAN, we believe that Myanmar has equal rights (like us),” Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah told reporters, according to the Bernama state news agency.
“But the junta has not cooperated, so ASEAN must be strong to defend its credibility and integrity,” he said.
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