Hypocrisy in ASEAN

It’s funny how a bunch of political activists and NGOs can send a letter of protest to the Thai Royal Embassy in Kuala Lumpur last month and can stage a protest in front of the said embassy. Wonder if they had a police permit to do that. Wonder if these very people have ever protested about the impoverished situation of the Orang Asli community. Wonder if they ever protested about how there are still people in Malaysia with no access to basic necessities and education. Wonder if they will protest for the people of Jinjang Utara that have been stuck in longhouses beside the largest open rubbish dump in KL, long forgotten and living in small one room units made of think planks. Wonder if they will protest if there is cases of alleged police brutality.

Wonder if they protested against the slavery of ethic minorities in Myanmar. Oh, wait, they did say something about the Rohingyas more than 10 years ago But not the Karens. Hmm, is it a coincidence that most Karens are Christians? Did they ever protest the brutality of the Indonesian armed forces in Acheh? Or the very recent killings by the army in Irian Jaya? Or in the past, did they protest the systematic and vicious persecution in East Timor, after the illegal occupation by Indonesia? Oh wait, these were same people that stormed a meeting (APCET II) in KL like a bunch of hooligans when there was a discussion on East Timor. They did that in the name of non-interference policy in ASEAN and good brotherly relationship with Indonesia. That’s good. But why are they not doing the same for the case of Southern Thailand? Has there been a change of policy in ASEAN?

I think Thaksin, as petulant and childish he may seem for threatening to walk from the ASEAN summit has a pertinent point. Why would ASEAN be interested to find out more about the situation in his country and the steps his government has taken to handle the issue? It seems to me like a drastic change in principle. Yes, granted we share a border, and have every right to worry about the violence so near to our homes. But in terms of consistency in ASEAN, shouldn’t we be raising our concern bilaterally and perhaps privately with them, and not in an open forum like this? And shouldn’t we be minding our own business and just strengthen our border patrols and immigration checkpoints in to check for insurgents slipping through our borders?

If we want to find out more about South Thailand, we also must find out more about Acheh, Irian Jaya, Mindanao and Myanmar where violence is present. I’ve never been a fan of constructive engagement in ASEAN because it is not consistent. You obviously can’t change Myanmar by talking or trading with them. God forbid, we are buying things made by the prisoners and slaves of the junta there. They haven’t changed a bit, it has been more than a decade since the last democratic election. Admittedly, democracy isn’t a criteria in ASEAN. But I’m sure ASEAN does not mean to be associated with political persecution, slavery and senseless violence. And looking at ASEAN’s query on Thailand, that seems to be true. However, again, ASEAN is being inconsistent by not dealing with similar situations elsewhere in the region.

So where does ASEAN stand?

I personally feel that Myanmar should be sanctioned as much as it may hurt the people there. I feel Thailand owes it to its neighbours to bring peace back to its country. I believe Indonesia must stop using violence to rule. I believe more can be done for peace in Mindanao. Perhaps we can engage each other for real, constructively rather than having it as a lip service. The world views ASEAN as one.