Comment by MERGAWATI ZULFAKAR
The Star (Malaysia)
LAST Friday, Singapore and Indonesia publicly expressed their deep concern over the escalating standoff and grenade blasts in Bangkok that saw scores of casualties.
Both countries asked fellow Asean member Thailand to sit down and resolve the political crisis that has been plaguing the country for more than a year.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa went a step further by saying that Jakarta was ready to render any assistance to promote conditions for dialogue or negotiation.
This is not the first time members of the 10-member grouping have expressed their concern over the situation in Thailand.
It was only last year that Asean leaders were “rescued” from their summit meeting in Pattaya when their Thai hosts failed to stop the fury of anti-government protests.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in March expressed hope that political stability would return to Thailand. Malaysia is just next door to Thailand, and if the situation gets worse, one can only imagine the consequences.
Asean is now in a new era after the adoption of the Asean Charter – turning the group into a more rules-based organisation after 40 years in existence.
But the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of member states is included in the charter.
This, however, has not stopped Asean members from criticising Myanmar over its recalcitrant ways and there seems to be an emerging trend among members to comment on the state of affairs of a member country.
As the Singapore Foreign Ministry said, it hoped that all Thais, irrespective of their political views, would set aside their differences in the overall interest of Thailand, eschew violence, and seek a peaceful, amicable and durable resolution.
“This is crucial not just for Thailand, but for Asean as a whole,” a Singapore Foreign Ministry statement added.
But in expressing their deep concern, are Asean members, especially Singapore and Indonesia, telling Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to step down since he is seen as being unable to suppress the protests that has led to loss of lives?
A diplomat noted that one year was lost for Asean during Thailand’s turn to hold the Asean chair last year due to the internal crisis.
“The turmoil in Thailand has been going on for too long that Asean members cannot help but to say something,” said an Asean observer.
Bangkok, in trying to convince its Asean neighbours that it is business as usual, last week dispatched Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij to Johor Baru for the opening of Bangkok Bank’s latest branch in Malaysia.
Downplaying investor concerns over the political turmoil back home, he said the baht remained strong and there were no significant capital outflows.
Like diplomats, businessmen are also eager to see the situation return to normal as soon as possible.
Travel advisories by foreign governments warning their citizens against travelling to Bangkok have already hit the city’s vital hotel and tourism industry and foreign airlines hard.
With Asean Economic Ministers travelling to Washington and Seattle next week and Asean Finance Ministers planning a major investment roadshow in Kuala Lumpur in November to drum up US and foreign funds interest in Asean stock markets, the continuing Thai crisis is likely to do more harm than good to Asean as an investment destination.
A Malaysian official said the Thai Commerce Minister Porntive Nakasai is joining Asean counterparts, adding “let her reply to queries on the situation in her country.”
But there are those who see the statements by Singapore and Indonesia as the “height of interference”.
“Would Singapore appreciate criticism of its internal issues from other Asean members if it were in Thailand’s shoes? Unlikely,” said a diplomat.
As for Indonesia, it wants to be seen as an international player, especially with its membership in the exclusive G-20, rubbing shoulders with developed nations like the United States, Japan and Germany.
Whether other Asean countries like it or not, Indonesia will eventually literally grow as a big brother in the group.
Thailand has been vocal about relaxing Asean’s strict practice of non-intervention, especially regarding Myanmar.
Now the tables have been turned and Bangkok is on the defensive.
There is a fundamental reason why Asean has stuck to its norms – there is aspiration to change, but there is also pragmatism.
Actions, so far, show that Asean is not ready for change.
Both countries asked fellow Asean member Thailand to sit down and resolve the political crisis that has been plaguing the country for more than a year.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa went a step further by saying that Jakarta was ready to render any assistance to promote conditions for dialogue or negotiation.
This is not the first time members of the 10-member grouping have expressed their concern over the situation in Thailand.
It was only last year that Asean leaders were “rescued” from their summit meeting in Pattaya when their Thai hosts failed to stop the fury of anti-government protests.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak in March expressed hope that political stability would return to Thailand. Malaysia is just next door to Thailand, and if the situation gets worse, one can only imagine the consequences.
Asean is now in a new era after the adoption of the Asean Charter – turning the group into a more rules-based organisation after 40 years in existence.
But the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of member states is included in the charter.
This, however, has not stopped Asean members from criticising Myanmar over its recalcitrant ways and there seems to be an emerging trend among members to comment on the state of affairs of a member country.
As the Singapore Foreign Ministry said, it hoped that all Thais, irrespective of their political views, would set aside their differences in the overall interest of Thailand, eschew violence, and seek a peaceful, amicable and durable resolution.
“This is crucial not just for Thailand, but for Asean as a whole,” a Singapore Foreign Ministry statement added.
But in expressing their deep concern, are Asean members, especially Singapore and Indonesia, telling Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to step down since he is seen as being unable to suppress the protests that has led to loss of lives?
A diplomat noted that one year was lost for Asean during Thailand’s turn to hold the Asean chair last year due to the internal crisis.
“The turmoil in Thailand has been going on for too long that Asean members cannot help but to say something,” said an Asean observer.
Bangkok, in trying to convince its Asean neighbours that it is business as usual, last week dispatched Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij to Johor Baru for the opening of Bangkok Bank’s latest branch in Malaysia.
Downplaying investor concerns over the political turmoil back home, he said the baht remained strong and there were no significant capital outflows.
Like diplomats, businessmen are also eager to see the situation return to normal as soon as possible.
Travel advisories by foreign governments warning their citizens against travelling to Bangkok have already hit the city’s vital hotel and tourism industry and foreign airlines hard.
With Asean Economic Ministers travelling to Washington and Seattle next week and Asean Finance Ministers planning a major investment roadshow in Kuala Lumpur in November to drum up US and foreign funds interest in Asean stock markets, the continuing Thai crisis is likely to do more harm than good to Asean as an investment destination.
A Malaysian official said the Thai Commerce Minister Porntive Nakasai is joining Asean counterparts, adding “let her reply to queries on the situation in her country.”
But there are those who see the statements by Singapore and Indonesia as the “height of interference”.
“Would Singapore appreciate criticism of its internal issues from other Asean members if it were in Thailand’s shoes? Unlikely,” said a diplomat.
As for Indonesia, it wants to be seen as an international player, especially with its membership in the exclusive G-20, rubbing shoulders with developed nations like the United States, Japan and Germany.
Whether other Asean countries like it or not, Indonesia will eventually literally grow as a big brother in the group.
Thailand has been vocal about relaxing Asean’s strict practice of non-intervention, especially regarding Myanmar.
Now the tables have been turned and Bangkok is on the defensive.
There is a fundamental reason why Asean has stuck to its norms – there is aspiration to change, but there is also pragmatism.
Actions, so far, show that Asean is not ready for change.
3 comments:
Khmer Surin and Malay Muslim, what are you waiting for?. This is a golden opportunity to liberate your lands and declare independance.
It's a good oppunitties for our compatriots Khmer Surin to rise up. And getting our last land back from Siames.
ASEAN is a JOKE!!
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