Asean really needs to get its act together
THE Asean summit in Singapore that began yesterday offers the opportunity for the 10 member nations to get their act together. For years the grouping has been seen as being directionless, individualistic, listless, with an attitude of “to each its own”, and even trying to outdo each other.
There are many problems facing Asean, whether between nations or as a group, such as trade, money laundering, human trafficking, pirates, the Isis threat, cross border environmental pollution, separatist movements, etc. The National Patriots Association would like to express our views on three key issues.
The South China Sea conflict:
Notwithstanding The Hague tribunal ruling against China in 2016 and China’s “nine-dash-line” territorial claim, Asean should boldly and together stand firm on the United Nations treaty on maritime territorial issues.
The UN Convention for the Law of the Sea allows for a 200 nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) from the baseline of each nation’s territory; China is a signatory of this convention. And this convention has to be Asean’s unwavering collective stand. Any negotiation with China on this contentious political issue has to be as a bloc and not involve other super power influence.
Political issues and territorial claims cannot and should not be allowed to stand in the way of mutual economic benefits. Beyond the EEZ, and even within, there can be joint mineral exploration for mutual benefits of nations. Joint exploration should be actively pursued as it also breaks the barrier of distrust.
The Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality Treaty should be actively pursued in view of super power rivalry amidst military and economic domination in the world theatres. Asean as a bloc should stay neutral and not side with either the United States or China.
Asean should ensure that the militarisation of the South China Sea is diffused. Large warships and heavy armament installations in the region should not be allowed. Military exercises by any power merely as a show of power, to intimidate and to test security vigilance, should be seriously condemned.
Prosper thy neighbour policy: In the midst of current world economic uncertainties, economic contraction, and a financial/banking spark leading to contagion and world economic depression, it is better for Asean to seriously adopt a “prosper thy neighbour” policy. Covert sabotage and the attitude of trying to outdo each other should be a thing of the past.
Only with a collective resolve to improve economically will we stand a chance of mitigating the onslaught of a harsh economic depression.
The Rohingya crisis: In the face of the current Rohingya crisis during which untold suffering and atrocities are reported, Asean cannot stand by its noninterference policy towards its members. It is a matter of human dignity and basic human rights.
Leaders must speak up and use all measures available to compel the Government of Myanmar and the UN to do the right thing.
Brig-Jen (Rtd) Datuk Mohamed Arshad Raji President, National Patriots Association