New challenges for Asean to tackle

AFTER 43 years in existence, Asean, which was established on Aug 8, 1967, has come a long way as a regional organisation even though some continue to doubt its effectiveness.

Asean has crafted several long-term plans such as Asean 2025 and have rolled out many master plans.

I had the opportunity to represent Malaysia on the High Level Task Force on Connectivity, which developed the first Asean Master Plan on Connectivity focusing on enhancing physical connectivity, institutional connectivity and people connectivity.

Asean now has a second master plan on connectivity, emphasising digital connectivity, logistics connectivity and regulatory connectivity.

Connectivity is one of the 4Cs that are key pillars for the organisation. The others are Community, Charter and Centrality. The Asean Community is now a reality with the Asean Economic Community having come into effect in 2015.

The Asean Political and Security Community and Asean Social and Cultural Community are also in place.

But more must be done to strengthen the other newer C-challenges facing Asean – Consciousness, and China, in particular the South China Sea.

China is an important strategic partner and the biggest trading partner for Asean.

Asean must continue to work and engage with China, but the South China Sea must remain open to navigation. Both China and Asean need to conclude the Code of Conduct on the South China Sea.

Asean consciousness needs to be strengthened, especially among the youth and students in the region, so that it continues to be relevant to them.

Asean should also review the Asean Charter by enhancing the promotion and protection of human rights as well as deciding on the traditional practice of consensual decision-making.

Making decisions based on consensus would allow Asean to achieve the lowest common denominators.

Asean must also have stretch goals and push the envelope to make a quantum leap forward, and the consensus approach needs to be reviewed. This will also speed up the decision-making process in the organisation.

Asean needs to also pursue the 3Rs – Responsiveness, Relevance and Rights, namely the protection of human rights.

Going forward, Asean must also prioritise digital transformation, sustainability and SME business continuity.

To make Asean more relevant to the younger generation, I would like to propose the establishment of an Asean Youth Parliament.

With the growing emphasis on and importance of sustainability and to strive towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the leaders should also establish an Asean Sustainability Commission with representation from government, business and civil society.

To fight the Covid-19 pandemic, Asean needs to also beef up public health security as well as strengthen food security, job security and cyber security.

I wish Asean a happy 43rd birthday and hope that it will push the envelope to scale greater heights.

TAN SRI MICHAEL YEOH , President, KSI Strategic Institute Chairman, Asean Leadership and Partnership Forum