The period
between 2008 and 2010 was significant to Southeast Asia. During this period, the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Charter came into force. The idea of one
economic, political, and socio-cultural community for the 10 Member-States was
ever more inching closer to reality. While this was unfolding, I
was able to witness this community-building process by being at the ASEAN
Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2008 and at the ASEAN Centre for
Biodiversity in 2009-2010.
This
collection of essays (The years that were ASEAN, and Indonesian: Facing the odds towards regional integration and community building) revisits the significant events, burning issues, and memorable times in ASEAN and so in Indonesia in
2008-2010. They attempt to shed light on these events, issues and rekindle the times
when nationalistic and regionalistic fervor was at the peak.
There are five topics that organize the essays. The
first one is on regional studies. It starts with the banner year, 2008, for
ASEAN when the new Secretary-General, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, took his office and
the role of the regional organization in the humanitarian operations and
reconstruction projects in Myanmar in the post-Cyclone Nargis. One essay
questions the inclusiveness of the regional integration process of the
envisioned one ASEAN community when it comes to peoples participation in the
process. The last essay on this topic is the security threat posed by North
Korea and how ASEAN can address the threat.
The second
topic deals with the environmental issues. Two essays focus on both the regional
trends that cause problems and the regional capabilities and structures that can
buck the trends.
The
third topic is on the political developments in Indonesia. The Commission for
Truth and Friendship (CTF) report is examined and its contextual usefulness.
Then, the second presidential victory by Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) is put into a global political perspective by looking at the wave of
victories of oppositions in various national politics.
In the
fourth topic, national security issues are discussed. In 2008, the streets of
Jakarta saw the violence of student protests. At the other side of the violence
are the works of the government. The last essay in the national security issues
describes the deadly stampede which is a symptom of social injustice and
structural violence in the country.
The
last topic is on the nationalistic fervor and travel insights. Celebrating
Independence Day and winning an Olympic gold generate emotional attachment to
the flag and nation. Being in Jakarta, masjids and gerejas are landmarks which
offer not only religious symbol, but spiritual refuge as well. Writing Jakarta
without any mention of traffic jams and motorcycles is prejudicial to what it
really is.
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