A sea of tranquility

U SUALLy reading several gazillion web sites every day, I am not inclined to look at Asean regional newspapers. I decided to on wednesday. John Mangun

The front page of the Bangkok Post had a picture of Army chief Gen Apirat Kongsompong “warning anti-government activists not to cross the line as they plan to hold a rally this Saturday to demand a general election.”

Other stories included, “Cabinet gives green light to 10 infrastructure projects worth B17.7” and “Government opposed to new land policy.” It said: “The government has distanced itself from a controversial land policy proposal that would allow farmers holding Sor Por Kor documents to seek commercial gains from their properties.” “Sor Por Kor” is similar to the Philippines’s Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.

The Jakarta Post carried the

following news: “Joint operation extends Poso terror group manhunt, citing new recruits.” “Affordable railway fares to lure more passengers”. “Bali home to biggest Starbucks in S-E Asia.”

Malaysia’s King resigned last week amid rumors he married a former “Miss Moscow” in Russia. But on Wednesday the top news was whether or not the Employees Provident Fund—similar to the Philippine SSS—would declare a much lower dividend rate than last year. The University of Malaysia saw its highest global ranking in history. Further, there is a huge controversy because a third year high-school textbook told girls they would bring disrepute to their families if they did not protect their modesty.

The Vietnam News headlined the story that “PM asks ministry to enhance Vietnam’s rankings in ICT.” During a press conference, the minister of foreign affairs put the “East Sea issue in the spotlight.” And “The Asean Tourism Forum [ATF 2019] officially starts today in the northern coastal province of Quàng Ninh.”

I spoke of the headlines in the US, Europe and elsewhere in my column on Tuesday. I must have forgotten about Africa. “Boko Haram attacks military base in Nigeria.” “Terrorists strike upscale hotel complex in Kenya.” “Military deploys in Zimbabwe fuel hike protests, 5 killed.”

Divide the world by areas of 1 billion populations: North and South America is one while Africa is another. Europe and the Middle East hold about 1 billion, while India and Bangladesh are also 1 billion. Russia and Central Asia count for a billion, and northern China and Japan make up another.

Southern China and we in Southeast Asia are the final 1 billion on Earth.

Look at the common world map that places the Americas on the extreme left and New Zealand and Oceania on the right. As you move from left to right, the chaos and confusion builds, reaching a peak in the Middle East. Then that disorder— political, social and economic—diminishes with pockets of trouble here and there. India’s centuries of religious battles and Myanmar’s persecution of the Rohingya people are such examples.

Then comes a sea of tranquility stretching across the nations of the 1 billion primarily encompassing the member-states of the Asean. Aside from the 30 nations—from India to Samoa and including China—that make up “Emerging and developing Asia,” the “Asean-5” (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand) has by far the highest economic growth rate on Earth.

Yet all—without exception—of the Southeast Asian nations are considered as having a “flawed democracy” or a “hybrid regime” where “serious weaknesses are more prevalent than in flawed democracies.” How do we reconcile that assessment with the fact of the other successes of the region?