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376093
Mon, 08/03/2015 - 08:27
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ASEAN Needs To Reexamine ARF's Objectives In New Security Challenges - Analyst

By Voon Miaw Ping KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 3 (Bernama) -- ASEAN leaders need to reexamine the objectives of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) to make it more proactive in addressing new security challenges, according to an analyst. Dr Mohd Yusof Ahmad, who formerly headed the Institute of ASEAN Studies and Global Affairs at Malaysian public university Universiti Teknologi MARA said after 22 years of emphasising on confidence building, the forum needed to move to the next level of implementing preventive diplomacy. At the same time, ARF should call for its participants to 'walk the talk' and take more affirmative action to deal with the problems, he told Bernama here, ahead of the 22nd ARF meeting on Thursday. He said the needs were in line with new challenges posed by non-traditional security threats such as trans-boundary crimes, terrorism and disasters that required swift action and cooperation from multi sectoral governments. "The new ones that emerged are adding complexity to the scenario. As such, ARF can be more than an avenue to promote multilateral discussion. "It will not only become an avenue for leaders to come up with new viable ideas and concrete proposals but also a platform to translate them into effective actions," Yusof said. He said China's role in the region could influence the power play, of which ASEAN member states must tread carefully in order not to adversely affect peace, stability and development of the entire region. "On one hand we are dealing with existing issues such as the South China Sea dispute and trying to find an amicable solution to it. "On the other hand, new and more complex crises have emerged, that required new approaches," said the former ambassador to Bangladesh. ARF was set up in 1994 as a multilateral venue to foster constructive dialogues and consultation on political and security issues of common interest and concern. Yusof noted that the forum through its engaging and diplomacy approach in dealing with conflicts, was instrumental in contributing to long term peace, stability and prosperity to the region. "It encourages and promote open dialogue and debate among participants, even adversaries, to further the cause of peace building and maintenance through diplomacy rather than use of force. "The fact that even conflicting countries are able to sit together in the forum while more countries are eager to join are evidence of its relevance," he added. Aside from the 10 ASEAN member states, the forum comprises 17 countries including the bloc's 10 dialogue partners namely Australia, Canada, China, European Union, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the US. Other participants are Bangladesh, Mongolia, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, North Korea, Sri Lanka and Timor Leste. -- BERNAMA

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