Junta boycotts Asean summit

Southeast Asian leaders sharply criticised Myanmar's junta as a regional summit opened yesterday without a representative from the country, following its top general's exclusion for ignoring a peace roadmap agreed six months ago.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) had said it would accept a non-political figure from Myanmar, but the junta on Monday rejected that, saying it would only agree to its leader or a minister attending.

In an unprecedented snub to the leader of a member state, Asean had decided to sideline junta chief Min Aung Hlaing, who led a February 1 coup that spiralled into violence and nationwide chaos, for his failure to cease hostilities, allow humanitarian access and start dialogue with opponents, as agreed with Asean in April.

The decision was a huge insult to Myanmar's military and a rare, bold step by a regional grouping known for its code of consensus, non-interference and engagement.

"Today, Asean did not expel Myanmar from Asean's framework. Myanmar abandoned its right," said Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who will become the group's chairman next year.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said Asean had a slot ready for Myanmar, but it chose not to join.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo in his remarks to leaders lamented Myanmar's "unwelcome attitude" towards Asean's diplomatic efforts, Retno said.

Thai PM Prayuth Chan-ocha, a retired general considered the Asean leader closest to Myanmar's coup-makers, said the issue was crucial for the bloc's reputation and a test of its resolve.

Asean made the call days after its special envoy Erywan Yusof said the ruling State Administrative Council (SAC) denied him sufficient access, including to ousted, democratically-elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is charged with multiple crimes.

Asean leaders were due also to collectively meet leaders of the United States, China and South Korea, while US President Joe Biden attended a joint session by video link.

Biden called on the military rulers to free people unjustly detained in Myanmar.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met on Monday with representatives of the NUG, an alliance of pro-democracy groups, militias and ethnic minority armies formed after the coup.

Meanwhile, Suu Kyi has denied a charge of incitement to cause public alarm, media reported yesterday, in her first court testimony since the February coup. Citing lawyers, BBC Burmese and Myanmar Now reported that Suu Kyi had denied incitement in connection with her party publishing a letter in February calling on international organisations not to cooperate with the junta.