Test case for ASEAN

Test case for ASEAN

The tension straining the Philippines and Singapore ties following the hanging of a Filipino maid seems to be mounting.

Hand grenades were exploded near the office of Singapore Airlines in Manila and the Philippines' Foreign Ministry office.

On Saturday Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong wrote a letter to President Fidel Ramos. Sources say that the letter was a protest from Goh over the burning of Singaporean flags by demonstrators in Manila.

If this is the only message in the letter then there is more reason for concern as a crisis is imminent in the relations of the two countries. If things get out of hand, an arm conflict is not ruled out.

Hence, ASEAN intervention is badly needed. But if Goh and Ramos exploit the issue for domestic political gains it will only complicate the situation.

Nevertheless, it is time that other member countries of ASEAN -- including Indonesia -- do something to prevent the relationship from deteriorating further at this point of time.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta