Solution to Myanmar crisis must start from within - Analysts (BERNAMA)

By Rosmalis Anuar

KUALA LUMPUR, April 23 (Bernama) -- Despite international condemnation and sanctions imposed by the United States and European Union, Myanmar's military has continued its relentless airstrike campaigns on target groups that the junta claimed as insurgent opponents.

In a recent attack, approximately 170 people, including women and children, were killed and dozens injured in a horrific aerial attack by junta forces on civilians in Pazigyi village in Kanbalu Township in the Sagaing Region.

While international pressure on the military junta has yet to show the desired result hitherto, geostrategist Prof Dr Azmi Hassan opined that the solution to the crisis must start from within Myanmar through its shadow National Unity Government (NUG).

The senior fellow at Nusantara Academy for Strategic Research (NASR) told Bernama that the sanctions imposed on Myanmar only left a temporary effect on the junta.

"The junta has many channels to obtain financial resources, for example selling precious stones to other countries that have no problem selling their jet fuel and other natural resources to the junta," he said.

Dr Rahul Mishra, Director of the Centre of ASEAN Regionalism at Universiti Malaya (CARUM), agreed with this opinion and remarked that sanctions would not yield a long-term beneficial effect.

In order to help in the restoration of democracy in Myanmar, he said ASEAN must transition from non-interference to constructive intervention on humanitarian grounds. He added that this is also required of the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), as well as ASEAN's dialogue partners.

"ASEAN’s condemning of the attack definitely shows its sincerity, but that is not enough.  

"In the absence of any law enforcement mechanism, ASEAN is finding it difficult to implement the Five Point Consensus (5PCs). Unless ASEAN and its member countries take a more-coordinated consensus-based approach to strictly implement the 5PCs, Myanmar won’t be able to get back to normalcy," he said.

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