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Junta’s disrespect to ASEAN costs unexpected peers criticism

Burma’s political deadlocked and Human Rights abuses are not anymore new to ASEAN. ASEAN summit 2005 has started on December 11, 2005 apparently dominated by Burma issues. Opened with tough criticism from Malaysia Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi asks his Burma counterpart to free all political prisoners. Normally ASEAN sticks non-interfere policy among group members and subsequently viewing such a statement as an interfering of one’s internal affairs.  

2005 summit comes with different attitudes toward Burma. Long time Military Junta friendly countries Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and the Philippines make unusual criticism with cold tones publicly demanding Burma to accept ASEAN delegations to observe development of democratization in Burma. Burma agreed only to invite Malaysia delegate to visit. 

"Burma has agreed to ask me to go to Burma," said Malaysia Foreign Minister Syed Hamid. "They noted our views and finally they said OK, let the chairman of the Asean standing committee go to Burma." But it is not clear they will be allowed meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi during the trip.  

Beside Burma’s status quo, ASEAN’s cold tone really meant a change is remained questionable. Malaysia and Singapore’s disagreement over pushing Burma issues to UN Security Council was still warm expressing firm footed on non-interference in each other's internal affairs a few weeks ago then woke up in Summit with completely different guy indicated no reference of interfere. It not only made surprise to SPDC, but also to the world. Normally talking about human rights in Burma was viewed among ASEAN members as interfering one’s internal affairs. In excerpt from Bangkok Post, Mr Syed Hamid (Malaysia Foreign Minister) said “visiting Burma was not an interference but a chance to see if any progress had been made as announced by Rangoon”. 

Actually ASEAN is on hot seat among its trade partners like EU and US related to relationship with Burma. As rapid increases of fierce competitions from mega economy China and India, the emerging ASEAN countries like Singapore, Malaysia and The Philippines could not take any more heat from major trade partners mostly from US and EU for their interests. ASEAN secretary general admitted it in his speech.

 On Sunday, ASEAN secretary-general Ong Keng Yong confirmed that ASEAN, facing the heat from trading partners US and Europe, is putting more pressure on Burma.

The summit will also discuss the growing economic might of China and India, which have replaced Southeast Asia, once known as Tiger economies, as the choice destination for foreign investments.  

Prime Minister confirmed the statement later. 

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien-Loong said in a speech yesterday that although ASEAN is bringing down trade barriers and unifying markets among its 10 economies, things must move quicker for the grouping to be a player alongside China and India. 

"Combined, these two economic powerhouses will shift the centre of gravity of the world economy toward Asia," Lee said. "In order to stay in the game, ASEAN must therefore take decisive action," Lee told business leaders. 

Burma had survived under ruling military government since 1988, thousands of people were killed and other thousands were jailed just for calling democratic changes in country. There has been 17 years of Military regime’s suppressive ruling and 15 years National League for Democracy (NLD) party won 1990 election, though, has not been recognized by Junta. Thousands of citizens keep fleeing country to avoid persecutions, opposition leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has been under house arrests for three times since 1988 who is currently remained unreleased. Condemning voices across the world air over military Junta most of the time since 1988. Although ASEAN was pushed by leaders around the world to persuade its member Burma to make change, ASEAN hasn’t ever be able to sway a little bit from non-interfere policy. Moreover, it was even frequently making negative comments to western nations that post sanctions against Burma. The hardships of Burmese passed the neighbors made known to all over the world. Troubles in Burma have never been critical concern for ASEAN until summit begun yesterday.  

The economy factors are not only things that makes ASEAN changed their lingering stances. Prior uninformed to ASEAN about moving capital from Rangoon to Pyinmana seemed like Junta challenging the ego of group supremacy. Rather than regional economic means, the changed ASEAN stance for Burma was perhaps a decent reward for its disobedient member. The group members either ignored Junta’s request of ASEAN to reject putting Burma issues in UN Security Council, but the response was miserably, “Free all political prisoners up before getting ASEAN protection”. It was plausible if it is actually mentioned. In other face of the response, it seems like “member benefits have been revoked until complying the rules” rather than whatever other meanings.  

Whatever it gets, the changes inside ASEAN are worth welcome. It’s adding more players in the game at least for now. Perhaps, hopefully ASEAN is getting really felt uneasy for its bad-boy member as to comments of some leaders. The followings are excerpts from news articles. 

ASEAN's Secretary-General, Ong Keng Yong, said Burma had been told the recent six-month extension to the house arrest of the Nobel Peace laureate Ms Suu Kyi was a slap in the face for the organisation. 

“Burma's refusal to democratize and free its political prisoners has been a persistent embarrassment to Asean's role as a key facilitator of peace and stability in the region”.  

"We wanted to express as strongly as possible our disappointment that the issue has dragged on and that it remained unresolved, which has implications on the credibility of Asean," said Marty Natelegawa, Indonesia's foreign ministry spokesman. 

Thanks to globalization, competitions are so fierce in the world markets constantly threatening emerging countries like ASEAN to hold the existing position. Maybe ASEAN is fully convinced the reality what’s happening inside Burma while trying to make no mistake to protect a stake in global economy. It means nothing is more important than nation’s interests.  If it is true, it’s absolutely bad news for Burmese Junta. The global situation has changed, there is going to be no more Asian Value, no self styled democracy or brotherly relationship for those do not deserve. Burma Junta will be demanded enormous changes by its own group members. If the things are not going he way it should, ASEAN will dumb Burma eventually. There is no more room ASEAN be able to take unfavorable consequences produced by unfruitful member. It’s going to be an interesting game coming up ahead. The game will be tougher than what Burma regime plays.