Marina Ika Sari
Researcher in The ASEAN Study Program, The Habibie Center
ASEAN Must Remain Solid and Rise Above Differences
As the host of the 17th ADMM and 10th ADMM-Plus, Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto continued to emphasize the importance of cooperation in maintaining peace and stability in the region and beyond. However, it is clear that there is bumpy road ahead to realize this mission. To find out what obstacles are standing in the way of regional stability and how much influence ADMM and ADMM-Plus have on Asean, Nurhidayat Nasution and Yuli Ari interviewed Marina Ika Sari, a researcher with the The Habibie Center’s Asean Studies Program on Monday (13/11). The following is the excerpt:
What are today's security and defense challenges that should be of concern to Asean defense ministers and their dialogue partners?The way I see it, there are two challenges, first at the regional level and second at the global level. At the regional level, Asean still has a homework on the Myanmar crisis and the South China Sea (SCS) tensions. Meanwhile, at the global level there are challenges arising from the US-China great power rivalry, the war in Ukraine, cybersecurity, Aukus, Quad and most recently the Israel-Palestine conflict
Speaking of Myanmar, the political crisis there has morphed into a humanitarian crisis so Asean members need to sit down and find a durable solution. While we should appreciate what Indonesia has done during its Asean chairmanship, but in reality the 'quiet diplomacy' by Indonesia has failed to meet the expectations of the international community. This can be seen from the fact that there has been no significant progress in the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) on Myanmar
From the outset, President Jokowi and Foreign Minister Retno have said that the Myanmar crisis cannot be resolved within one year of Indonesia's chairmanship due to its complexity. Now the baton of leadership has been passed on Laos, which tends to be even more passive than Indonesia in its approach. While the Asean’s contributions in addressing the Myanmar crisis should be appreciated, its hands are tied by principle of non-interference and lack of unified voice among its members. Particularly on the principle of non-interference, Asean should be more flexible in implementing this principle. It has also been criticized for an absence of mechanism for handling crises or conflicts
As far as the SCS is concerned, China recently released their new standard map which expanded the nine-dash line to 10-dash line. This has infuriated the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan and India who declared their outright rejection. The publication of this new map also contradicted the China-Asean agreement reached in July to speed up negotiations on the code of conduct (CoC) in the SCS.
Each Asean member has a different stance on an issue which complicates the decision-making process as it requires a consensus. In the SCS dispute, for example, the Philippines and Malaysia are the most vocal in opposing China's SCS claims. The Philippines, in particular, has also sought to strengthen its military presence in SCS. On the other hand, Brunei Darussalam, which is also one of the claimant states, appears to be taking a passive stance due to its close relationship with China.
What is your take on Indonesia’s 'quiet diplomacy' on the Myanmar issue?
The effectiveness of the 'quiet diplomacy' approach by Indonesia has been questioned due to the lack of information regarding strategic plans and objectives conveyed to the general public. This then gave rise to a narrative that there was a lack of transparency in resolving this crisis. However, we should also appreciate Indonesia’s efforts to overcome the Myanmar crisis. For example, over the last nine months, Indonesia has carried out 145 engagements with 70 stakeholders in Myanmar_except the Myanmar military junta_to open up dialogue and build trust with various quarters.
What is your view on the role of ADMM and ADMM Plus as part of the security architecture in the region?
ADMM and ADMM-Plus are the highest consultative forums or platforms because they bring together defense ministers from Asean states and Asean dialogue partners. These forums allow them to sit together and address a number of complex challenges and the latest geopolitical dynamics in the region.
We can say that these forums also serve as a medium for defense diplomacy aimed at increasing confidence building measures (CBM) or mutual trust. They can also improve defense capabilities, especially for members of the military through knowledge sharing and technical skills training. Several forms of cooperation that the ADMM and ADMM-Plus have enabled include workshops, courses, field training exercises (FTX), table top exercise (TTX) and counter-terrorism exercise (CTX).
What should be formulated in ADMM and ADMM Plus to foster regional peace and stability?
This question relates to the Asean Outlook on Indo-Pacific (AOIP), which, through an Indonesian initiative, was established in 2019. Under Indonesia's chairmanship this year, Asean is working to translate and implement the AOIP into more concrete cooperations. The implementation of the Asean Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF), which focuses more on the economic aspect, is a concrete effort to implement AOIP as one of the flagship events during Indonesia's Asean chairmanship
In the defense front, ADMM and ADMM-Plus produced two important documents, namely the concept paper on the implementation of AOIP and the work program setting the future direction of ADMM which contains technical implementation of cooperations within the ADMM framework
They serve as a guidance for Asean in establishing defense cooperation and ADMM interactions with Asean dialogue partners. Because AOIP focuses on four areas - maritime, connectivity, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and economy -- ADMM can enter through maritime cooperation aimed at achieving peaceful dispute resolution, maritime safety and security, freedom of navigation at sea and in the air, and tackling international crimes. In this context, ADMM has contributed to maintenance of peace in the Asean region and has become the center of the security architecture in the Indo-Pacific region.
How do you view the role of ADMM and ADMM-Plus in pushing for the Asean centrality?
We must distinguish between Asean's stance as a regional organization and each of its members. Individual members have different foreign policies and relations with great powers. Several Asean countries such as Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand are close to the US, while Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar are oriented toward China. Meanwhile, Indonesia and Malaysia tend to be neutral.
However, as a regional organization, Asean is implementing a hedging strategy by collaborating with many parties, not least the US and China. Therefore, amidst the US-China, Asean centrality serves as a guidance in which the voices of Asean member states are given priority in order to shield the region from outside pressure and intervention.
How can Indonesia take a more active role in realizing Asean centrality through forums such as ADMM and ADMM-Plus?
Indonesia as Asean's de facto leader plays an important role in the regional bloc, both as its chair this year and its natural leader. This role carries great responsibility for our country in leading and facilitating dialogue and cooperation between Asean member states and their dialogue partners. Indonesia is committed to ensuring the continuity and progress of Asean in various domains, including defense and security
As AOIP initiator, the establishment of AOIP can be used as a strategy for Asean in facing the US-China rivalry by standing firm on its three main principles - centrality, inclusiveness and complementarity. Asean centrality is urgently needed amidst geopolitical and geostrategic dynamics in the region. We can't let ourselves become proxies of great powers in their competition for influence in Southeast Asia.
AOIP can create and promote synergy despite the various differences in Indo-Pacific concepts espoused by several countries. In this context, AOIP can open dialogue and build cooperation with all countries without exception due to its inclusive nature
In line with the theme “Peace, Prosperity, and Security”, Indonesia can continue to emphasize Asean member countries to remain solid, put differences on a back burner, and work together to safeguard Asean interests. Asean must put on united front to continue to maintain peace and cooperation, not competition that leads to conflict. Indonesia can also emphasize the strategic value of Asean as a regional security architecture that contributes to the maintenance of peace, security and stability.
On several occasions, the president, defense minister and foreign minister have continued to emphasize Asean centrality and that Asean must be solid, speaking with one voice. Even though individual members have different voices, these differences should be put aside. Ideally, Asean should have one voice in the stance it takes. This way, it will not be easily divided by external parties.
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