Asean pivot

Re: “Watch out for Asean’s new Indo-Pacific”, (Opinion, Dec 4).

Kavi Chongkittavorn’s piece on Asean’s new Indo-Pacific role, although interesting, leaves key questions unanswered about any pragmatic future.

When it started, the organisation made clear it respected each country’s sovereignty. But this has led Asean to become more of a talking shop that avoids tackling the conflicts between countries. And this talking shop now wants to take in even the UK, German and French leaders.

Instead, Indonesia wants Asean to get more active on such specific issues as maritime cooperation, regional connectivity, and sustainable development.

And other goals get tossed around too, in the article.

But each goal has a challenge that gets ignored here.

For example, prosperity is put forward, in a group with enormous inequalities. So, Singaporeans earn US$57,000, while Myanmar people earn just $1,298. So what should Asean nations do about this — take from one nation and give to poorer ones, or what?

Also, they talk about “transparency” but avoid tackling the widespread corruption that exists among these nations, that slowly saps future growth.

These are the important concrete but difficult goals that Asean needs to have the courage to face realistically if it is to have an effective future. GERRY POPPLESTONE