ASEAN should open to criticism<\/p>\n
By Adi Sasono<\/p>\n
This article is an excerpt from a paper presented at the third
\nASEAN Young Leaders' Forum in Singapore from Oct. 25 to 26, 1995.<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): ASEAN is often portrayed, especially by western
\njournalists, as relentlessly pursuing economic growth, while
\ndisregarding human rights, environmental degradation and
\npracticing undemocratic politics.<\/p>\n
Although this is not a balanced view, we should give it
\nserious consideration as we develop our own vision for the future
\nof economic and political development.<\/p>\n
Every member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
\n(ASEAN) is concerned with human rights and democracy but, in
\nimplementing these principles, we need to take account of the
\nlevel of economic and political development in each country.<\/p>\n
We cannot automatically adopt the standards of human rights
\nand democracy held by the West -- we have to determine our own
\npace.<\/p>\n
We realize that, sometimes, economic development is better
\nserved by political stability than democratic politics. This does
\nnot mean we sacrifice political democracy altogether, it is
\nsimply a matter of priority.<\/p>\n
ASEAN has now reached a stage of economic development where it
\ncan afford to pay more attention to human rights and democracy.
\nThe challenge is how to adopt these principles in ways that match
\nour own cultural values, which are often mistakenly attacked by
\nour critics.<\/p>\n
When we talk about our values and cultures, we should not be
\ndefensive against western principles, but open to any positive
\ninfluence that may contribute to the development of our society,
\neconomically, socially or environmentally.<\/p>\n
In the fast-changing world, where information flows freely, we
\ncannot isolate ourselves from the values of the outside world.
\nBut we must be careful not to readily adopt them, without first
\nassessing the risk they may pose to our way of life and our
\nexistence as a sovereign nation.<\/p>\n
These days, the role of the international -- especially
\nwestern -- media has quite a strong influence on the opinions of
\neducated people in Southeast Asia. And news about human rights
\nviolations, environmental degradation and the misconduct of
\nbureaucrats often features prominently.<\/p>\n
ASEAN governments complain that the western media focuses more
\non the bad things that happen in the region than the good. This
\nhappens, possibly, because the economic success of ASEAN nations
\ncreates a feeling of envy in some parts of western society. It
\ncould also be attributed to a tendency for the western media to
\nfeel it has a duty to lecture Asian countries about human rights
\nand democracy.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, we have to acknowledge that there is often an
\nelement of truth in what the western media says. Thus, in some
\ncases, their criticism deserves our serious attention, if we are
\nto further the cause of political democracy here.<\/p>\n
The challenge for ASEAN is how to maintain high economic
\ngrowth while opening up our society, domestically as well as
\ninternationally.<\/p>\n
An open society means greater respect for individual rights,
\nfreedom of speech and freedom to participate in politics.<\/p>\n
There is concern among several ASEAN countries that, by
\nnurturing greater political participation, they will fall victim
\nto social disorder, which could disturb economic development.<\/p>\n
We should not be worried about this. Having a more open
\nsociety does not mean neglecting social order, nor other
\nimportant values, like family and religion.<\/p>\n
For us, freedom of speech -- or any other right -- is not
\nabove social order or social harmony. We must find a way to be an
\nopen society without losing our affection for family and
\nreligious values, which are strongly embedded in our social life.<\/p>\n
An open society does not mean a western society. It means we
\ncan communicate and share what we believe in and what other
\nsocieties believe in, so that we can live in peace and harmony in
\nan integrated world. What we need is mutual respect between
\ndifferent cultures, so that we can work together for the benefit
\nof humanity.<\/p>\n
But, to avoid economic penalty, political openness has to go
\nhand-in-hand with efforts to sustain high economic growth. In
\nfact, democracy can even broaden the opportunities for the
\nprivate sector to indulge in more dynamic economic activities.<\/p>\n
Most ASEAN nations are at the stage of development where
\nlabor-intensive production is being replaced by technology and
\nhigher levels of skill. As such, any effort to enhance
\ncompetitiveness entails greater concern for human resource
\ndevelopment.<\/p>\n
There is evidence that human resource development in ASEAN
\ncountries contributes significantly to economic growth and
\nequity. Universal enrollment in elementary schools and increasing
\nenrollment in secondary and tertiary schools are important
\nfactors in creating sustainable economic growth in Southeast
\nAsia.<\/p>\n
The challenge for many ASEAN nations is to increase the
\nquality of schooling and encourage private participation in
\neducation and training. For Singapore, and to some extent
\nMalaysia, private sector involvement in training and
\napprenticeship is an important link between education and the
\nlabor market. In other nations, Indonesia included, private
\nparticipation in training is still very limited.<\/p>\n
And in terms of technology, ASEAN is still behind East Asian
\ncountries like Korea and Taiwan, where many export products are
\nmade using advanced electronic systems. Success on the global
\nmarket is no longer determined by resource endowment but by the
\navailability of skilled labor and technology.<\/p>\n
The extent to which ASEAN members cooperate, especially within
\nthe private sector, on issues of human resources and technology
\nwill determine our level of competitiveness as we enter the 21st
\ncentury. Such cooperation is not easy considering the level of
\ntechnology in the region as a whole. Nevertheless, cooperation in
\ntechnology transfer and research and development will not only
\nmean costs can be shared, but also that certain technologies can
\nbe mastered more quickly.<\/p>\n
The growing importance of human capital and technology in the
\neconomy can only be good for overall productivity. This is
\ncontrary to the opinions of some American economists, who say
\nthat growth within ASEAN, and East Asia, does not involve any
\nsignificant efficiency and productivity gains. But, clearly, it
\nis not physical capital, natural resource or unskilled labor that
\ndetermine sustainable growth, but human capital and technology.<\/p>\n
The writer is chairman of the Center for Information and
\nDevelopment Studies.<\/p>",
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