THE Asean Economic Community (AEC) will become a reality from January but for Asean citizens, it is still shrouded in mystery and the advantages and benefits from the economic integration are unknown.
15 October 2014 @ 8:05 AM
THE Asean Economic Community (AEC) will become a reality from January but for Asean citizens, it is still shrouded in mystery and the advantages and benefits from the economic integration are unknown.
For long it has been argued that Asean is not people-centric and that the 600 million people from the 10-nation grouping are not showing much interest in the organisation, despite Asean being one of the foremost and vibrant international groupings, and its achievements are on a par with those of the European Union (EU).
This is because, hitherto, Asean’s decision-making has been the preserve of the national leaders, ministers and senior government officials and not many people or
organisations are involved downline.
It has been a top-to-bottom style of management and it has been successful in a peaceful environment.
However, lately, there has been a break in consensus, especially on China’s South China Sea islands claims, where Asean nations are divided and breaking ranks.
With the rapid rise of India, East Asia and the Pacific Rim countries, Asean needs a new mission and vision to face future challenges.
The birth of AEC will call for more involvement and commitment by the people, and the time when only regional leaders were involved in meetings and conferences is over.
It is time to get the people involved in decision-making, as is being done by EU and on which Asean is modelled.
After 47 years, it is time for an Asean Parliament to take shape in which the regional representatives can discuss and debate Asean issues and matters, and its deliberations can lead to wide coverage by the mass media to arouse interest among the people.
Diverse opinions can be aired, and the policy and decision-making could become a lively affair.
The Parliament will strengthen the regional grouping to face the future boldly and serve as a reality check.
The beguiling united stance of the leaders should not mask the problems that Asean faces, considering that the global economic environment has become more competitive and Asean citizens’ expectations are rising, and the international political situation is in a flux as the new dynamics and configurations shape the international order.
Now is the right time with the formation of AEC to herald an Asean Parliament, comprising 100 to 150 members whose tenure could be between three and five years.
The number of members of parliament could be based on a quota or the size of the population.
This new layer of decision-making will strengthen Asean and make it more people-orientated.
Unlike the European Parliament, where direct election is employed, at least for the initial period a simple selection formula based on the popular rate can be implemented for the Asean Parliament.
Additionally, Asean is in real need of a symbolic effort to buttress popular support that can benefit the grouping and what comes to mind is the construction of the Isthmus of Kra canal in southern Thailand.
Construction of this mega project can be undertaken by Asean nations and others, and it can galvanise support for Asean as its tangible results can be felt by all the people in Southeast Asia.
V. Thomas, Sungai Buloh, Selangor