THAILAND
By Kavi Chongkittavorn*
The Bangkok Post –Mar 27
Given the unsettled international environment, great powers’ competition and regional dynamism, the current ASEAN chair, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, urged the regional grouping to “maintain its centrality and relevance” in his recent speech at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.
Indeed, to attain these mantras, it will require leadership and clear visions by the chairman and support from his ASEAN colleagues and their peoples.
Here are 10 practical ways for all stakeholders at the top and the bottom to help keep ASEAN centrality as well as maintain its catalytic role in the regional and global landscapes. These efforts are primary aimed at making the region safe from all threats and horrors of war.
Trusting the ASEAN Chair
Each year, when the new chair takes over, there are mixed feelings of excitement and bewilderment. In the ASEAN setting, the reigning chair knows best as he is in the driving seat and sets the agenda. This year Mr Lee will have the final say on the chair’s statements. At the end of every year, a new ASEAN chair will come forward and pledge to colleagues intentions and purposes for the rest of the year.
Judging from the myriad ASEAN chairs’ themes since the adoption of the ASEAN Charter a decade ago, Singapore’s pick of “Resilience and Innovation” is snappy and short, reflecting both realistic and futuristic views of the regional grouping. In comparison to the previous theme under Singapore’s chair in 2008, “ASEAN in the Dynamic Asia”, it is far more ambitious and ASEAN-oriented. Singapore’s agenda this time demonstrates growing commitment and a desire for closer cooperation with the grouping as never seen before.
Navigate External Environment
Survival of ASEAN as a whole will depend on a healthy external environment and the quality of its overall engagement with the great powers. As the ASEAN members are gaining more confidence with economic progress and prosperity, they want bigger a say in all things related to the grouping and beyond. Within the same family, diverse views are normal and should be encouraged if they are constructive. The chair’s main task is to ensure that peers are on the same page when it comes to external relations.
Under certain circumstances, national interests might temporary trump the grouping’s interests as the case may be. But no members have yet to go so far as to allow national interests to destroy ASEAN’s collective interests completely. Cambodia’s failure to issue the annual joint communique in 2012 was an aberration and must be seen as a personal failure rather than the grouping’s inability to work together with colleagues.
Always Seek Consultation
Lessons from the Cambodian chair in 2012 are simple — ASEAN colleagues must embrace the spirit of consultation. After a few hours of disagreement and negotiations, the chair took the liberty to close shop and refuse to issue a joint communique. That was not the ASEAN way. It took several more hours for Brunei’s chair in 2013 after the official meeting ended to work out the final statements on ASEAN positions toward key regional issues and ties with major dialogue partners. In a nutshell, the chair’s perseverance and strong sense of belonging to ASEAN finally overcame all political nuances.
Leave Bashers, Sceptics Alone
They are here to stay and prosper, judging from the growing numbers of pundits who have made a career out of it. Criticising the grouping as a talking shop is always easy but to keep dialogue going among friends is equally important and could be difficult. Understandably, it is better to “jaw-jaw than brawl-brawl”. By all means, talking remains the most effective diplomatic tool preventing war and building peace even though at times verbal exchanges can be downright insulting and venomous.
Be Nimble and Don’t Show Off
ASEAN is a small organization with a budget of a little over US$20 million per year, a fraction of the world’s most well-known regional organization, the European Union, at a staggering $145 billion. With less than 400 staff, the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta tries to keep the grouping running with all of the financial and procedural constraints. After 51 years of existence, there are areas that need to be improved such as better coordination among various divisions both within and with member countries. Ways must be found for the grouping to respond to emergencies more speedily without compromising on the integrity of sovereignty. The ASEAN secretary-general must be able to speak broadly on behalf of member countries.
Strengthen ASEAN Narratives
Every time ASEAN leaders are scheduled to meet their counterparts from dialogue partners, especially China, one particular theme immediately generates headlines: ASEAN is weak against China or ASEAN is again split under China’s pressure. Seldom has the non-ASEAN media portrayed the bloc as a viable organization that creates a conducive environment for 645 million people to live in peace and prosperity while trying to coexist with China, the world’s No.2 economy. Media in the region have to pay more attention to their narratives about ASEAN from now on as most of them keep repeating stereotyped views of non-ASEAN countries.
Shape Indo-Pacific Concept
ASEAN must engage with dialogue partners to shape the future of the Indo-Pacific. After US President Donald Trump endorsed the Indo-Pacific concept, debate raged regarding its essence and purpose. Centrally located between the Indian and Pacific oceans, ASEAN must be proactive. As an organization, it is neither strong nor weak. It is changing incrementally. For decades, ASEAN served as a fulcrum for major powers to cajole one another. Now the grouping must jump in and stay engaged with them. The role of regional think-tanks is pivotal in formulating common positions.
Implement Charter Forcefully
The ASEAN charter is the grouping’s constitution. Actually, it is more than five years old, which means it is about time for a major review. But some ASEAN members are still reluctant, thinking that the time is not yet ripe. They believe better and forceful implementation of relevant measures and action plans will be the key. Peer pressure will continue in efforts to transform the grouping into a world-class rules-based organization.
Boost Rghts, Democratic Values
The regional bloc established the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights in 2007 after 13 years of foot-dragging. All members have also signed up to various international bills on rights with different degrees of commitment. Half of the member countries have already established national human rights bodies. That is a good sign. Human rights practices in the region have so far given emphasis to the protection of women and children as well as community rights. Obviously, protecting civil rights should be prioritized in the coming years. It will take time for ASEAN members to be ready to cope with civil liberties and other universal norms in holistic ways.
Engage in Interactive Dialogue
ASEAN leaders have to talk to each other more to increase comfort levels and exchange views on key issues. Every time they meet, they dwell too much on official speeches, repeating the same things or even sentences. This year, Singapore’s chair plans to make sure that the ASEAN leaders have more to say especially during the leaders-only strategic forum, the East Asia Summit. Otherwise, other non-ASEAN members will take over the debates. Issues related to extremism, terrorism, climate change and cyber security are top priorities apart from the challenges posed by functional cooperation.
*Kavi Chongkittavorn is a veteran journalist on regional affairs.
(first published in Bangkok Post – https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/1435714/ten-ways-to-sidestep-fault-lines-in-asean)
