ASEAN - are there problems?

16th October 2012, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - KS Wong
Further to the introductory brief on 13th October 2012 ..... where at the end of the brief I hinted .... are there problems?

(The topic may seem irrelevant to the Blog "Malaysian Lifestyle" but I do believe that there are implications to our lifestyle, food, culture and businesses ..... ASEAN brings changes, it might not be tidal waves of change but the influences from across the region will over a period of time yield a change in someway to our thinking, outlook and lifestyle. Thus, we should be aware of it to some extent.) 

The ASEAN Logo (downloaded
from the ASEAN Website)

ASEAN (Association of South EastAsian Nations) is today a reality ..... a fully developed legal entity; and members states are legally bound by the ASEAN Charter (to read more, click here).....

It is an elaborately structured set up, an orchestrated organisation of 10 Governments, with its Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia; and in a collaborative manner rolls out its initiatives in driving towards its expected deliverables.   

ASEAN came into being in 8th August 1967, with the Bangkok Declaration; and from there on it has moved, developed and evolved itself in pursuit of the ASEAN objectives ...... putting into place a wide spectrum of initiatives on an array of dimensions - economics, political, social, environmental, security, etc ...etc...

The prime intention is to bring regional stability and prosperity .... and in the gist of it, bringing developments to enable all ASEAN nationals to live a better quality life ........... and amongst the array of initiatives there have been leaps and bounds of efforts directed towards economic integration, improving ASEAN's competitiveness in trade and attractiveness to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

Thus far, we have to applaud the efforts of the Governments of the 10 member nations for its initiatives ..... despite of numerous critics (media, academia, individuals, etc etc,) that have pointed out on several dimensions on ASEAN's lack of efficacy - that it is merely a talk shop. toothless tiger, lacks political will, the ASEAN Community is merely wishful thinking and it will never be fully realised etc etc .....

I do believe that there is some degree of truth in the elements pointed out by the critics; but at the same time I would argue that it is subject to the perspective that one adopts in looking at the issues ..... 

I am a strong believer that ASEAN is a good thing for everyone and there has been substantive efforts in driving it towards its desired ends .... the issue is perhaps, it still needs to overcome impediments in its path and the transition towards it may be painful.

A scene from the council meeting of the
ASEAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(ASEAN-CCI)

There are numerous stakeholders, including regional NGOs such the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), ASEAN Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASEAN-CCI), numerous ASEAN Industry Clubs etc .... looking into the impediments and are continuously seeking for means that can alleviate the adversaries faced by ASEAN ..... and their feedback channels are recognised by the ASEAN process.

Having said all the above, I will now try to layout some of the issues - it is intended to be constructive and should be construed in that mode ..... like I have said I believe in ASEAN (I also welcome your feedback on the issues and you may not agree with my perspective);

• Do know that ASEAN only became a legal entity in late 2008 - when the ASEAN Charter was ratified by its member nations. - Thus, technically it was in a way not a legal entity from 1967 to 2008 ! ..... .......I believe that initiatives prior to the date are  by no means void .... 10 countries had officially engaged each other in an array of instruments and initiatives ...... The ASEAN Charter connotes that ASEAN is committed and beefing up itself to be better able to rollout its initiatives for the betterment of all .
• There seem to be a serious lack of awareness on ASEAN (and this is a rather worrying scenario)
• Ask around - how many countries are there in ASEAN and can they state the countries?
• What does acronym ASEAN stand for?
• Show around the ASEAN logo (with the word ASEAN blocked) - you will be shocked if anyone can immediately say it is ASEAN!
• ASEAN Community, and therein also the ASEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY (AEC) will be realised in 2015 - where ASEAN will be a single market and a single production base; with free flow of goods and services, labour and capital ............ however, the agony is how many of us are aware of this? or even.... to have given some strategic thoughts on its implications and opportunities? 
• The question seems to be "Why is it such a scenario?" and who is to be blamed? ..... I believe no should be blamed .... there were outreach initiatives. 
• ASEAN and the 10 governments of ASEAN states, including NGOs had over the years put in place numerous outreach activities to yield awareness ....... but were they adequate or .....
• Are the curriculum of the schools inadequate on this dimension? ......... something to be given some thoughts; perhaps, our Ministry of Education can give a look into it! 
• The general scenario seems to be .... "ok ASEAN so what" ....." what can it do to me" or perhaps, "What's up .... any benefit ka?" ..... the key point being lack of awareness is one aspect, and even with it; no one, especially the small businesses, seem to be bothered by it or have put any strategic significance to it?  
• No one seem to know or attach any importance to ASEAN DAY .... 8th August .......... perhaps, the media can assist on this .... and perhaps, just wishful thinking - make it a public holiday.
• in promoting ASEAN awareness ..... I believe that the media can play a bigger role .... perhaps, even to place a little publicity that Malaysia is a member of ASEAN (with the logo) ... e.g. The Star puts it some small corner of its cover.
• More exposure of the ASEAN logo to the public, together with the message that Malaysia is a member of ASEAN ...... perhaps,even at the airports.

This can go on and on  ... with a long list of issues (and we have not even gone into any details) ...... there are numerous developments coming out from the ASEAN process .... and we don't seem to be fully aware of them .... it bring changes to our lives and we don't want to left behind .... and miss the boat!!!!! 

perhaps,  .....we first need some ....  awareness and sense of belonging

to be continued .......  more on ASEAN ... going into some details.... are we all the same, when we talk in terms of ASEAN 10

KS Wong