THE Asean Community vision, to be achieved by 2015, while
consisting of visionary solidarity and regional integration values and
objectives, is without doubt facing a challenging and treacherous path ahead,
with numerous structural and thorny issues and divides yet to be resolved
wholeheartedly.
The three pillars of strength
to be achieved -- the political,
economical and socio-cultural aspects -- each have their own challenges to be
met and overcome.
It is not expected of Asean to
emulate the model of the European Union.
In fact, as pointed out all this while, we have our own unique way of
doing things, dubbed the Asean Way.
But we, at least, hope that we
can achieve a level of solidarity, acceptance and integration that is on a par
with the European Union, minus the technical part of union and oneness in the
form of a common currency or common defence policies.
Having said that, the onus is
still on us, the Asean people, to come together as a strong regional grouping
after decades of facing uncertainties and challenges on global and regional
issues.
It is an open secret that this
regional organisation was firstly formed with the main and common objective of
thwarting the onslaught of communism from engulfing this part of the world,
especially after the downfall of some of the Indo-China states, namely Vietnam.
Now that the Cold War is
long over, the path ahead for Asean is
once again debated and out came the
Asean Regional Forum, Asean+3, East Asian Summit and the like to further
strengthen and enliven the continuity and relevance of this grouping.
The time has once again arrived
for policymakers to chart a new direction forward, for if left as it is
now, the grouping would fade away into stagnation and irrelevance.
Certainly, tonnes of criticism
have been thrown at it for the way it does things, which is deemed as not
reflecting what a modern and thriving regional organisation should be doing.
Labels such as being a mere
talk-shop, undoubtedly, do not bode well for the image and credibility of Asean
as an emerging political and economic force
in the global arena.
Thus, it is a matter of
principle, honour and even sustainability for Asean to come up with a new set
of bold agendas, transform and chart a new way forward to further revitalise
the internal integration of Asean and, most importantly, to present a strong,
persistent, unified and meaningful voice and role in the international
political and economic system.
This is where the importance of
the Asean Community vision comes into play, outlining various vital
methodologies and visions to be accomplished to make it a vibrant, thriving,
unified, united and successful regional grouping that can best present itself
as the leading engine of growth and stability under the current volatility of
the global economic and political system.
It cannot be helped that thorny
paths tend to exist and it would certainly take more than political will and
commitment alone from member states to drive the way through in burying the
setbacks for good.
Deep socioeconomic disparity, disappointing
intra-trade record and level of economic integration, lack of conformity and
uniformity in finance, defence and security policies, diversity in political
systems, stagnant and even deteriorating Asean spirit among the masses,
mediocre people-to-people relations, prevalence of sidestepping Asean for own
national interests and survival and many other
obstacles seem to be playing on the minds of Asean leaders.
Certainly, the pressure and
race is on for each and every member state and every single individual and
entity involved to take up the gauntlet thrown at them and be determined in
making sure that the vision can indeed be achieved, provided there are still
strong and prevailing mutual interests and common benefits and objectives that
can be shared and obtained together as a major forward-looking regional
grouping. Asean is at a vital crossroads.
Collins Chong, Malacaa
NewStraitsTimes
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