First, even if ASEAN Charter aims at making ASEAN to be a more rule-based regional organization, the implicit nature of relations among the member states is still enveloped by the principles of the ASEAN Way. Some examples are that of the recent military coup in Thailand, or even the democratization process in Burma. Based on the ASEAN Way, the military coup in overthrowing the democratically-elected government of Thailand, or human rights abuse in Burma, are realized to be the internal problems with which other ASEAN’s member states must not interfere.

Second, noteworthy is it that ASEAN has no single dominant authoritative institution, as seen in the case of APEC, which supplies continental regional integration in the manner of the EU. The excessive linkage of individual ASEAN member states with non-members, in this regard, might somewhat affect the realization of the Southeast Asian regionalism (ASEAN Economic Community).

Thanawat Pimoljinda

There may be no need for Indonesia to give up on ASEAN as the cornerstone of its foreign policy. Indonesia has the ability to forge an ASEAN consensus on most issues which is very close to its own interests. Indonesia’s weight in any emerging Asia Pacific concert of powers would be commensurately greater.

It is not necessary to talk of abolishing the APEC summit. It can be seen as the forerunner and foundation of a smaller meeting of heads of government as proposed by Jusuf. The membership of that summit would allow it to continue to set, informally, the strategic direction of APEC.

Finally, there is an interesting Lowy Institute Paper (#21) by Coral Bell which touches on some of these issues.

Andrew