ASEAN: The First Step

On Aug 1967, 5 representatives from 5 different countries in South East Asia sat down together and signed a document. On that day, the 5 representatives which are the Foreign Minister of Indonesia (Adam Malik), Malaysia (Tun Abdul Razak), Singapore (S. Rajaratnam), Thailand (Thanat Khoman) and Philippines (Narciso R. Ramos) have agreed that they have found an association consists of South East Asian countries, that will later on develop help the members in terms of cooperation in the economic, social, cultural, technical, educational and other fields such as to promote peace, stability and to abide the rule of law and justice according to UN charter.

It is called as ASEAN because it represents the consensus of opinion, the collective will or voice of South East Asia countries. ASEAN also can be unique in terms of relation because the members wanted to bind themselves together in friendship and cooperation. Meaning that, the members will help the other member who is in a state of trouble without putting a favour or price to be pay for it. This is because, through this body, all the countries can enjoy prosperity, promote peace, stability and freedom throughout the regions. As a consequence, we can see that in South East Asia, there is no war or conflict between the members, unlike other parts throughout the globe, we can see a lot of people dying and there have war-thorn happens everyday but we can't see here in South East Asia because all the leaders agreed that they will chair a meeting among them, to negotiate or to discuss issues if there rise a conflict between them.

Unlike other bodies such as United Nations which has its own charter (UN), ASEAN doesn't have its own charter. Meaning that it does not have its own legal framework to set up rules or law if there have a conflict or problem between the members. Although it doesn't have any charter to govern its members, yet we still can see that they (the members) can avoid or settle a crisis by championing the idea of consensus. According to Malaysia Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar (The Star, Sat 28 July 07, p.21) "I am in favour of consensus. I believe if the overwhelming majority has agreed, then the others should come along. So it will be total consensus, you achieve both - everyone agrees and you have unanimity." By championing this idea, all the members will agree upon it because there is no bias or favour against them. All of them will be treated fair and equal.

From general view, we will have a clear picture that ASEAN main objective is to provide security needs for its members. This is because, prior to ASEAN, the South East Asia countries witnessed cold war between America and Soviet Union. These two big power wanted to dominate the world and by doing so, they spread their ideology and try to influence others to follow them, South East Asia also included. By having ASEAN as their body, all members agreed that no matter what they will try to curb the Soviet Union from bringing its ideology - the Communism to South East Asia by closing its relation with the Communist power and tying its relation with the West.

State needs good economy to generates or to provides basic needs for its citizen. In order to have a strong economy, State must produced its sources and then exported it to other countries that have a relation with it. ASEAN also not only to provide security needs but also to produce strong economy among the members. As we can see, South East Asia have a lot of natural resources. Not only oil as their main export but they also produce and export other things such as rubber, timber, paddy, electronic product, Labors (i.e Doctors, Lecturers, Skill Workers etc) and so on.

Each countries have its own advantage in generating its economy. Like for example, Thailand and Malaysia produce paddy but Thailand produces more than of Malaysia and Malaysia simply famous for its rubber for tyres. So in ASEAN, all the members have agreed that if one can produce something and can export it to other regions, other state should not be rival or try to compete the former. For example, if Thailand produces rice, Malaysia can't simply produces rice although it have its own rice, Malaysia have to respect Thailand because it can produce not only for its people but to others, so Malaysia on the other hand have to export other things that she have like for example rubber. By doing this, all members have equal chance in economic growth and best of all, there is no fierce rival or competition among them.

40 years have passed and we witnessing a tremendous growth in economic and social development in South East Asia countries. Most of these countries in this region have improved and changed rapidly compare to 40 years ago. We can see a lot of skyscrappers, tall building, better education such as schools, Universities, colleges and so on. People around these regions have a better life compare to 40 years ago, they have and can afford to buy car, house and other needs such as to send their children to school or to provide basic needs for themselves. Much have changed since ASEAN came in 1967. Without the 5 representatives from the 5 countries (Malaysia, Indonesia, Phillippines, Thailand and Singapore) concerning on the future of South East Asia, can we be like this till now? Can we uphold their legacy and work together with our neighbors without thinking our interest needs as they did during their time? I hope we can do that and try to make it better for our next generation.