Jakarta, KL agree to beef up Asean's role in world affairs

Leaders also urge Myanmar military to implement peace plans drawn up by bloc

- Hariz Baharudin and Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja

Indonesia and Malaysia have agreed to continue strengthening the role that Asean plays in global affairs.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Monday also urged the Myanmar military to implement peace plans drawn up by the regional grouping.

Following a meeting between the leaders at the state palace in Bogor outside Jakarta, Mr Widodo, better known as Jokowi, said: "We agreed that Asean must continue to play a central role in making the Indo-Pacific region peaceful, prosperous and stable.

"On Myanmar, Indonesia and Malaysia have the same view of the importance of implementing the Five-Point Consensus. We urge the Myanmar military junta to implement the Five-Point Consensus."

Mr Widodo was referring to the peace plan drawn up in April 2021 that was intended to help end the chaos following the February 2021 military coup that has killed more than 2,000 people so far.

Both leaders reaffirmed the close ties between their countries, and Datuk Seri Anwar thanked Mr Widodo for the reception he and his delegation received in Indonesia.