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🇸🇬 Singapore /Elections & Politics

Myanmar regime signals ASEAN's weakness by denying access to Aung San Suu Kyi

From The Straits Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Myanmar's regime has again rejected ASEAN's request to meet with imprisoned former leader Aung San Suu Kyi.
  • Analysts believe the regime views ASEAN as ineffective and is signaling its control by dictating access.
  • Restricting visitors is seen as a diplomatic tactic to retain political leverage, with only trusted foreign partners like Thailand and China granted access.

Myanmar's ruling junta has once again denied ASEAN member states access to Aung San Suu Kyi, the nation's deposed leader who has been imprisoned since the 2021 military coup. The latest refusal, communicated on June 30 by regime spokesperson Khaing Khaing Soe, stated that Suu Kyi is "serving sentences" and therefore not permitted to meet international representatives. This marks the second time ASEAN chair the Philippines' Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro has been blocked from meeting her.

Aung San Suu Kyi has been prosecuted under the law and is serving sentences. Therefore she is not allowed to meet with international representatives.

— Khaing Khaing SoeThe Myanmar regime spokesperson explained the reason for denying ASEAN access to Aung San Suu Kyi.

Analysts interpret this continued defiance as a signal from the Myanmar regime that it considers ASEAN to be largely toothless. Hunter Marston of the Lowy Institute suggests the regime believes "ASEAN needs Myanmar more than Min Aung Hlaing deems Myanmar needs ASEAN." The junta is signaling its authority by dictating who can visit Suu Kyi and when, demonstrating its control over the situation.

This strategy of restricting visitors is viewed by some analysts as a deliberate move to retain political leverage. Amara Thiha, a fellow at the Stimson Center, described it as "a diplomatic card the regime continues to hold." The fact that only former Thai foreign minister Don Pramudwinai and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi have reportedly been granted visits highlights the junta's trusted foreign partners.

They want to signal they are in control of the situation and dictate who can visit Aung San Suu Kyi and when.

— Hunter MarstonMarston, from the Lowy Institute, analyzed the regime's motivation for restricting access.

Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar's most prominent political prisoner, is serving a sentence of approximately 18 years after multiple reductions from an initial 33-year term. Convictions on charges including violating the official secrets act and corruption are widely seen as politically motivated. By keeping Suu Kyi detained, junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has also consolidated power, facilitating a tightly managed election earlier this year and assuming the presidency in April, while largely disregarding ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus peace plan.

I see this largely as a diplomatic card the regime continues to hold.

— Amara ThihaThiha, a fellow at the Stimson Center, commented on the regime's use of Suu Kyi's imprisonment as a political tool.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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