Time to move Asean from vision to action

ASEAN has no doubt been emerging as a strong regional group by now, and it has identified a clear agenda to be pursued in order to bring social and economic benefits to those living in the region.

Although several big objectives were put forward during the two-year-period since Asean Charter was mooted, a slow movement in putting the vital blueprint into action is felt.

Asean Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan talking to the The Brunei Times recently admitted that though the Asean Charter has discussed a host of projects and plans during the last two years intending to bring regional growth and benefits to its citizens, the pace in implementing them was slow.

He termed Asean Charter's two-year-past as a period of "beating drums", and called the grouping to act without delay to the tune of that "drumbeat" and move from vision to action, proving to the world and its member citizens of the grouping's commitment and capability.

He also said the Asean's new Chair, Vietnam, has touched on the right button and come forward with its theme, Towards the Asean community: From vision to action, to be implemented during its tenure which begins this year. He agreed that it needs to accelerate the scheduled work to ensure right delivery of the projects to reach its goals.

At the same time, Asean should seriously consider close cooperation and engagement with the Northeast Asian economies, provided Asean eyes on trade expansion. Most Asean members are still categorised under the "developing nations" label, and new tie-up with giant economies such as China, Japan and South Korea would help members diversify businesses and generate fresh sources of income in the region especially through attracting investors and high spending tourists from those countries to Asean, and the proposed one Asean destination is a right decision taken by the group to tap global tourist upmarket.

Speaking on Asean: Present and Future Challenges at an Asean Logics Conference 2010 at the International Islamic University in Malaysia last week, former Malaysian prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad also stressed the need of close cooperation with Northeast Asia. He said joining the Northeast grouping would help Asean to become more powerful in facing challenges particularly in the sectors of international commerce and trade which are predominantly dominated by the West today.

It is no secret that there could be many stumbling blocks in the way of Asean to achieve its set goals, and such barriers could be the cause that has slowed down the movement in certain areas of Asean. However, if it is the cause of the delay, the present atmosphere of high group spirit and enthusiasm should be utilised to settle existing issues whether they are social, political or economical.

Connectivity issues rise up immediately in the tourism sectors, and besides getting much needed new and expensive infrastructure in place, every member can find prompt settlements to other issues of concern such as cross border and immigration matters. For an instance, it is well-known that traversing between Brunei and Sabah requires strenuous immigration process, and a possible solution to cushion this clog has not yet been seen on Asean discussion table.

Introducing a friendly land corridor between Brunei mainland and its Temburong province across Sabah is one such possible solution to cut long immigration processes short, save money and time of both governments thereby increasing traveller comfort. Good offices of Asean, Bimp-Eaga and other regional forums could be employed to initiate a new process in this regard or the parties concerned could return to any previous negotiations if any.

The current close rapport between the leaders of Brunei and Sabah would provide conducive environment to begin a constructive dialogue with Asean and Bimp-Eaga resolutions.

If such a tangible settlement is achieved within a short stint, it would be the best example Asean may set to prove its commitment, courage of its leaders which would win nations' confidence for the group to grow from strength to strength.