Cebu, May 9 (AseanAll) — Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto used the 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines to call for stronger stability and reconciliation in Southeast Asia. In several sessions, including the ASEAN leaders’ retreat, situation in Myanmar and the need to resolve conflicts through dialogue featured prominently on the agenda.
In his press statement, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono said that ASEAN leaders discussed the latest developments in Myanmar following the country’s election and the formation of a new government. He also explained that Indonesia has, from the outset, consistently underlined the need for an inclusive political process and a peace-oriented approach in addressing the situation there.
“From the beginning, Indonesia’s stance has been that if the elections are to be held, they must be inclusive, capable of addressing existing problems, oriented toward peace, and able to create a better situation,” Sugiono told the press, on May 9,2026.
Indonesia also underlined that ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus must remain the primary foundation for resolving the crisis in Myanmar. ASEAN leaders, in their discussions, also noted a number of positive steps taken by Myanmar’s new government, which they regarded as progress worthy of appreciation from fellow member states.
“After the election, there have been several positive gestures from the new government that deserve appreciation, including the release of more than six thousand political prisoners, according to figures provided by the Myanmar side, as well as changes in the detention status of Aung San Suu Kyi,” he said.
Sugiono added that these developments are part of efforts to fulfill the commitments set out in ASEAN’s Five-Point Consensus. In this context, ASEAN leaders also discussed concrete, measurable steps that can be taken to keep encouraging further improvements in Myanmar’s situation.
“In essence, everyone agreed and shared the understanding that, as one family within the ASEAN region, member states must continue to pay attention to Myanmar, maintain their concern, and remain engaged with Myanmar so that it can find its own path toward improving the situation at home,” stated Sugiono.
Apart from the Myanmar issue, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto also shared his views on the need for reconciliation and dialogue in handling border disputes in the region, including tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. According to Sugiono, the President underlined that border issues must be managed through dialogue, negotiation, and forms of cooperation that deliver concrete benefits to the people living in the affected areas.
Sugiono quoted President Prabowo Subianto as saying, “Rather than sharpening our differences, we should allow the legal processes to run their course, while at the same time, seeking positive areas of cooperation that can bring real benefits to the people and citizens of each country involved.”
According to Sugiono, this approach is in line with a principle that Indonesia has consistently upheld in addressing various regional issues. He concluded by saying: “As we have always done, we seek common grounds and shared solutions to border-related problems through dialogue, negotiation, and cooperation,” he concluded.
