Asean will not be taken hostage by Myanmar crisis: Jokowi

Indonesian President Joko Widodo urged leaders not to “be dragged by currents of rivalry” amid rising geopolitical tensions. - AFP

JAKARTA (The Straits Times/Asia News Network): Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Thursday (Sept 7) said Asean “will not be taken hostage” by the Myanmar crisis and urged leaders not to “be dragged by currents of rivalry” amid rising geopolitical tensions.

“We have to keep fighting and Asean will not be held hostage by the Myanmar issue. Asean will continue to create peace, to create stability, to create prosperity,” he told a packed press conference at the close of the 43rd Asean Summit and related summits, which were held from Tuesday to Thursday.