Living Up To Its People-Centred ASEAN Vision

By Ainul Huda Mohamed Saaid & Nur Ashikin Abdul Aziz KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 (Bernama) -- Perhaps many do not realise the fact the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN has contributed a lot to the people of the region, including Malaysia. The camaraderie that has been around for the past 48 years since Asean was founded, will continue to touch the lives of many with the establishment of the ASEAN Community, by year's end. Avid traveller, Rohaniah Noor, 37, said her backpacking ventures to ASEAN countries have always been easy, thanks to the ASEAN visa-free policy. "Generally ASEAN people are friendly and helpful. I enjoyed travelling within the region and has never once felt insecure," said the property consultant. Rohaniah sees this as an opportunity to further explore the rich culture of the Southeast Asia which is full of diversity. Meanwhile a non-governmental organisation (NGO) activist, who only wanted to be known as Esther, looked towards ASEAN to create positive changes in the community. Having only joined a Penang-based NGO last year, Esther said the ASEAN Community is most profound when it involves the people at the grassroots level. "Before, I only know that ASEAN is a group of countries from Southeast Asia but I don't really know much about it. "But now, ASEAN provide me a bigger platform and louder 'voice' to help people in our course," said the education and youth-based activist. Penang is Malaysia's northern state. Esther hoped that ASEAN member states would continue to work together, especially with NGOs from the region for the benefit of the people. Muhmed Abdullah, a police retiree views ASEAN as the best platform to solve conflicts and humanitarian issues in the South East Asia's region. According to him, as one of the personnel who had served in a conflict zone and seen the sufferings of the people, he hoped for a better future for the youths in the region. "There are many issues that can be discussed and solved together and if ASEAN can solve humanitarian issues like this, then ASEAN can be regarded as very successful," said Mumed, who now earned his living as a taxi driver. Formed on Aug 8, 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, ASEAN's membership has expanded to include Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. Themed 'Our People, Our Community, Our Vision', Malaysia's vision throughout the chairmanship, which it assumed on Jan 1 from Myanmar, is the creation of a people-centred ASEAN involving all sectors of society in the grouping's activities. It is in line with this theme that the summit will also be held in Langkawi island with the objective of bringing ASEAN closer to the people. --BERNAMA