A betrayal of ASEAN?<\/p>\n
For the past 30 years, the world has had nothing but
\npraise if not admiration for the spirit of cooperation
\namong countries united under the Association of South East Asian
\nNations (ASEAN), whose members include Indonesia, Malaysia, the
\nPhilippines, Thailand and Myanmar.<\/p>\n
ASEAN drew the world's attention because of its exemplary
\nregional cooperation. With the existence of such a forum, it
\nseemed any dispute could be settled amicably through
\nnegotiations.<\/p>\n
The world's superpowers often courted ASEAN with bilateral
\nagreements and the grouping has contributed significantly to
\ninternational stability and world peace. Within the framework of
\nthe United Nations, too, the advice of ASEAN leaders was
\nfrequently sought and heeded to bring about compromises on
\ndelicate issues.<\/p>\n
The ASEAN community has fared well as a result of such
\nfavorable peaceful international conditions even after the
\nnegative impact of the U.S. invasion of Iraq.<\/p>\n
However, a few quick developments shattered this ASEAN accord.
\nThe border dispute between Indonesia and Malaysia escalated
\nquickly, leading almost to armed confrontation between two close
\nallies and senior ASEAN partners. Friends quickly became enemies.
\nThe Malaysian flag was burned in front of the Malaysian Embassy
\nin Jakarta. Some Indonesians, meanwhile, demanded the severing of
\ndiplomatic ties with Malaysia and the recall of the Indonesian
\nambassador from Kuala Lumpur.<\/p>\n
The atmosphere was indeed as if ASEAN had ceased to
\nexist. The regional grouping's solidarity became a thing of the
\npast and the laudable ASEAN spirit is now nowhere to be found, at
\nleast, when Malaysia and Indonesia are disputing the waters
\nsurrounding the Ambalat Block, a deep sea oil field that both
\nclaim ownership of.<\/p>\n
This shows that the ASEAN spirit only existed as a formality
\nand did not have deep roots. The dispute is tragic, absurd and, I
\ndare say idiotic, if seen alongside ASEAN's original aspirations.<\/p>\n
ASEAN leaders should be ashamed for allowing a dispute about a
\nsmall affair, although with huge economic significance, to
\nescalate.<\/p>\n
The group's machinery should now be set in motion to bring an
\nend to this foolish misbehavior. Perhaps it would be a good idea
\nto set up an ASEAN-led cooperative venture with both countries
\ntogether exploiting the potential of the waters bordering
\nIndonesia and Malaysia.<\/p>\n
At any rate, ASEAN must be willing to admit that its
\ncredibility is dented; that it is proverbially flying its flag at
\nhalf mast. Starting a war over a small territorial dispute, would
\nbe a complete betrayal of the ASEAN spirit and aspirations.<\/p>\n
GANDHI SUKARDI
\nJakarta<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-betrayal-of-asean-1447899208",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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