ASEAN RESILIENCE : THE MUFAKAT FACTOR

Abstract

ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) emerged in an era of troubles and transition, a period of economic crisis and political instability both for its region and for the world. Its twenty-two years have seen it encounter many problems. Yet, it has survived and proven that it is more than a vehicle for rhetoric and ritual, by having an indelible record of achievements especially in the political and diplomatic arena. The survival and transition of ASEAN right up to adulthood and its ability to win international recognition and support is indeed commendable when one considers the seemingly insurmountable differences and impediments along its path - differences in cultural ethos, religion, language, customs, ethnic make-up, foreign policy orientations, political style, strategic and threat perceptions, intra-ASEAN problems, tensions and conflicts. How then, has ASEAN been able to withstand and prevail over such intra-ASEAN differences and conflicts, maintain a certain degree of group solidarity and internal cohesion, and become a major actor on the world diplomatic stage? Obviously, the stability and resilience of any regional grouping must be due to a number factors. In the context of ASEAN, a major explanation relates to what ASEAN leaders have often referred to as musjawarah (consultation) and mufakat (consensus). Essentially, these refer to the ASEAN way of doing things, of conflict management and of overcoming differences. This Academic Exercise attempts to study and verify the workings of the much-cited mufakat factor in the regional organization, and in the process, hope to demonstrate its significance to ASEAN resilience.