AIPA: Indonesia Bears Special Responsibility for Maintaining ASEAN Peace

ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Secretary-General Chem Widhya has assessed that Indonesia bears a special responsibility in maintaining and strengthening peace in the Southeast Asian region amidst increasing global geopolitical dynamics. The statement was delivered by Chem Widhya during the ‘26th AIPA Roadshow: Parliamentary Diplomacy and Youth Leadership in ASEAN’ at Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY), Yogyakarta, on Monday. According to him, Indonesia, as one of the founding countries of ASEAN and its largest member state, has a strategic role in ensuring that the values of peace contained in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) remain a guiding principle for countries in the region. ‘The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) is Indonesia’s legacy because it was signed in Indonesia. As the largest member state, Indonesia has a special responsibility to ensure the TAC remains a living guideline for the region,’ said Chem Widhya. He stressed that the TAC is not merely a historical document, but the foundation of peaceful relations among Southeast Asian nations that has contributed to maintaining regional stability for nearly six decades. ‘Indonesia has a responsibility to ensure the values contained within it continue to be implemented so that ASEAN remains united and capable of facing the challenges of an ever-changing international system,’ he said. He added that ASEAN’s success in maintaining regional stability thus far cannot be separated from the commitment of member states to prioritise dialogue and cooperation over confrontation. Therefore, Indonesia, as the initiator of the TAC, is expected to continue playing a crucial role in strengthening trust and cooperation among ASEAN member states. ‘ASEAN must remain united. Indonesia has a crucial role in ensuring that the spirit of dialogue becomes the main path in facing new challenges, as well as ensuring the region remains stable and peaceful in the future,’ he said. Through the involvement of the younger generation and the strengthening of parliamentary cooperation, the values of peace contained in the TAC are expected to remain relevant and can be passed on to future generations. The ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) is a regional parliamentary body that serves as a centre for communication, information, and cooperation among the parliaments of ASEAN member states. AIPA is the only official platform for parliamentary representatives in Southeast Asia to exchange views and harmonise laws in the region.