ISSUE 4/2019 29 AUGUST 2019 ISSN: 2424–8045 Peering into Heart Talk Recalibrating Investment Boom Social Enterprises for ASEAN’s Past to with ASEAN ASEAN in ASEAN: Wherein Sustainable Understand the Secretaries-General Lie the Opportunities? Development Present ASEAN in Action: 52 Years of Community Building ASEANFocus is published by the ASEAN Studies Centre at ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute and available electronically at Contents www.iseas.edu.sg If you wish to receive an Editorial Notes electronic copy of ASEANFocus, please email us at [email protected] ASEAN at 52 2 Keeping the Multilateral Torch Lit Brightly Published on 20 August 2019 Glenn Ong and Tang Siew Mun 4 Peering into ASEAN’s Past to Understand the Present Syed Hamid Albar, Narongchai Akrasanee, Tommy Koh, and Sihasak Phuangketkeow EDITORIAL CHAIRMAN 11 Heart Talk on ASEAN’s Past, Present, and Future Choi Shing Kwok Ajit Singh, Ong Keng Yong, and Le Luong Minh MANAGING EDITOR ASEAN Community in a Global Community of Nations Tang Siew Mun 15 Reinforcing ASEAN’s Core Whilst Going Global Marty Natalagewa PRODUCTION EDITOR Viet Nam Primed for ASEAN and Global Resposibilities Hoang Thi Ha 18 in 2020 Dang Dinh Quy EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Pham Thi Phuong Thao Recalibrating ASEAN Anuthida Saelaow Qian 20 Making ASEAN More Relevant and Dynamic Glenn Ong Endy Bayuni, Delia Albert, Zeya Thu, Bilahari Kausikan, Munir Majid, Pou Sothirak, and Pham Quang Vinh Analysis 24 Investment Boom in ASEAN : Wherein Lie the Opportunities? Sam Cheong 26 The “New” Face of Southeast Asian Regionalism: The ASEAN Secretariat 30 Strengthening Social Enterprises in ASEAN for Sustainable Development Anuthida Saelaow QianA ASEAN in Figures SUPPORTED BY 32 ASEAN’s Many Bright Spots Insider Views 34 From Personal Pain to Regional Advocacy Erlinda Uy Koe Sights and Sounds 36 The Mekong: Mother of Life The responsibility for facts and Glenn Ong opinions in this publication rests exclusively with the authors 39 The Eastern and Oriental Express: Luxury Hotel on Wheels Thiviya Sri and Anuthida Saelaow Qian and their interpretations do not necessarily reflect the views or the policy of ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute or its supporters. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without permission. ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute (formerly Institute of Southeast Asian Studies) is an autonomous organisation established in 1968. It is a regional centre dedicated to the study of socio-political, security, and economic trends and ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute developments in Southeast Asia and its wider geostrategic and economic 30 Heng Mui Keng Terrace environment. The Institute’s research programmes are grouped under Singapore 119614 Regional Economic Studies (RES), Regional Social and Cultural Studies (RSCS) and Regional Strategic and Political Studies (RSPS). The Institute Tel : (65) 6870 4509 is also home to the ASEAN Studies Centre (ASC), the Temasek History Fax: (65) 6778 1735 Research Centre (THRC) and the Singapore APEC Study Centre. Editorial Notes s ASEAN marks the happy occasion of its 52nd Charter, and the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission anniversary, it is acutely aware of the gathering on Human Rights – are prime examples of ASEAN’s Astorm. After several fits and starts, the US-Sino footprints in the region. We join eminent old hands like trade dispute has erupted into a full-scale trade war with Tan Sri Datuk Seri Dr. Syed Hamid Albar, Dr. Narongchai immense global economic ramifications. US President Akrasanee, Prof. Tommy Koh, and Amb. Sihasak Donald Trump’s tarring of Vietnam as the “single worst Phuangketkeow as they take us back to the origins of manipulator” could well be the first shot across Hanoi’s these initiatives. This issue also features a roundtable with bow. There will be no safe harbour for the brewing storm; former ASEAN Secretaries-General – Tan Sri Dato’ Ajit the only uncertainty is the price ASEAN will pay for Singh, Amb. Ong Keng Yong and Amb. Le Luong Minh Washington’s and Beijing’s precarious duel. No doubt we – as they share with us key professional highlights and are Lilliputians compared to the two Goliaths, but we are personal reflections on ASEAN. by no means hapless bystanders. A lot more than trade is riding on the negotiations of the Regional Comprehensive ASEAN has also been proactive in projecting its voice on Economic Partnership – a test of the 16 negotiating parties’ global issues to a broader audience. Dr. Marty Natalegawa resolve to rise above self-interest in defence of free trade explains the rationale and substance behind Indonesia’s and multilateralism. push for the global-regional nexus during its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2011. Taking the nexus further, Amb. On a less contentious note, ASEAN sailed past the 52nd Dang Dinh Quy elaborates on how Vietnam’s imminent ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and related membership in the United Nations Security Council will ministerial meetings with its Dialogue Partners with little contribute to raising ASEAN’s international profile. While controversy, a surprising outcome given China’s recent persistently outward-looking, ASEAN must not neglect “less than peaceful” activities in the South China Sea. The its soul-searching to better position itself for uncertainties conclusion of the first reading of the draft Code of Conduct ahead. In this regard, Amb. Delia Albert, Mr. Endy in the South China Sea (COC) during the AMM was but a Bayuni, Mr. Bilahari Kausikan, Tan Sri Dato’ Dr. Mohd modest preliminary step in what promises to be an arduous Munir Abdul Majid, Amb. Pham Quang Vinh, Amb. Pou process. ASEAN’s sentiments on the COC negotiations Sothirak and Mr. Zeya Thu offer pointers on how ASEAN are best summed up by Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno can be recalibrated. Marsudi’s tweet that Indonesia “welcomed the progress and hoped it would be reflected on the ground”. This issue also examines certain economic-social issues close to the heart of ASEAN’s community-building Away from these stormy waters, ASEAN marked a new efforts. Mr. Sam Cheong sheds light on ASEAN’s brightest milestone in the inauguration of the new Secretariat investment hotspots while Ms. Anuthida Saelaow Qian premises. With two new 16-storey towers adjoining explains how ASEAN social enterprises have grown in the current 38 year-old building, ASEAN’s new home scope and significance in recent years. ASEAN in Figures was unveiled to much fanfare by Indonesia’s President highlights the best of the region – from our best performing Joko Widodo on 8 August 2019, a brief tour of which is economies to our most outstanding landmarks. In Insider featured in this issue. But even as ASEAN celebrates its Views, Filipino autism advocate Ms. Erlinda Uy Koe, achievements, the jury is still out on whether exhortations winner of the inaugural ASEAN Prize, shares how she of its centrality will hold in the years to come. ASEAN rose above her personal trials to become an indefatigable member states must unite and take firm positions if champion for family-based autism awareness and support. ASEAN centrality is to acquire greater currency against external headwinds. The ASEAN Outlook on the Indo- In the home stretch of this issue, embark on our dual Pacific, which bequeaths ASEAN with a common script, journey to visit some of the region’s most iconic Sights is a substantial development that should be consolidated. and Sounds. Mr. Glenn Ong explores how the Mekong Indeed, the path ahead, while murky, is not altogether reflects the varied and complex histories of the diverse gloomy as ASEAN continues its outward-looking vision peoples lining its shores. Finally, join Ms. Thiviya Sri by welcoming Chile as its Development Partner. and Ms. Anuthida Saelaow Qian aboard the Eastern and Oriental Express for a train ride unlike any other as we To celebrate the important work that ASEAN has done, we usher ASEAN into its 53rd year. We hope that this issue are proud to present ASEANFocus August 2019 issue titled of ASEANFocus will illustrate that ASEAN is not merely “ASEAN in Action: 52 Years of Community Building”. engrossed in the diplomatic art of talking: ASEAN has This issue brings together a stellar cast of ASEAN old also always been about – and is very much engaged in – guards, thought leaders, and activists to recount the trials the practical science of doing. Last but not least, we pay and tribulations, the joys and pains that went into making homage to two dear friends and cherished colleagues this community, and to chart the manifold possibilities who have been champions of ASEAN in their own right. ahead. To open the discussion, Mr. Glenn Ong and Dr. We wish Dr. Termsak Chalermpalanupap and Ms. Moe Tang Siew Mun review the challenges and opportunities Thuzar the very best in their future endeavours. that lie ahead of ASEAN. Happy birthday ASEAN, and many happy returns! The key milestones of ASEAN’s history – the East Asia Summit, the ASEAN Free Trade Area, the ASEAN 1 — ISSUE 4/2019 ASEAN at 52 Keeping the Multilateral Torch Lit Brightly Glenn Ong and Tang Siew Mun review the challenges and opportunities ahead of ASEAN as it celebrates its 52nd anniversary. Flags of ASEAN member states and Dialogue Partners at the ASEAN Secretariat ASEAN Secretariat ifty-two years ago, in 1967, ASEAN was established (RCEP) trade agreement past the finishing line, what with five founding members as a bulwark against future does an expansive and ill-defined political concept Fcommunism during the heady days of the Cold War. hold for ASEAN and the wider Asia-Pacific region? The end of the Vietnam War in 1975 laid the basis for the More importantly, would ASEAN be stretching itself association’s expansion. Today, with ten members and ten too thin by embracing the grandiose idea of an enlarged Dialogue Partners, the association stands once again at an geopolitical footprint? Level-headed minds will argue that inflection point in international relations.