Impact of Pre-ASEAN regional organizations

TWO DECADES after WW II, Southeast Asia saw the rise and spread of nationalism, the process of decolonization, the intervention of great powers, and failed attempts at regional integration (Acharya, 2012).

With decolonization, the newly-independent states aggressively embarked on nation-building, ensuring political legitimacy, developing their economy, and safeguarding their security amidst internal and external threats.

The primary motivation of the new non-communist governments was to ensure the survival of their fledgling democracies. Along this line, Thailand, Singapore, and Federation of Malaya; and the Philippines (PH); maintained relationships with the UK and the USA, respectively, great powers that had strategic interests in Southeast Asia.

Historically, PH obtained independence in 1946; followed by Malaya in 1957; while Thailand retained its constitutional monarchy during the colonial era. This period was also characterized by “petty jealousies, complete with border disputes and rivalries among their leaders” (Acharya, 2012).

In 1954, PH and Thailand joined the US-formed Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO). SEATO provided both countries with a security blanket against external threats. This membership was met with criticism by Indonesia.

Moving forward, even with Sukarno’s criticism and opposition, and the internal threats wrought by communism and separatism in their respective countries, Malaya, PH, and Thailand agreed to form the Association of Southeast Asia (ASA) on July 31, 1961. Expectedly, Sukarno criticized ASA (Hagiwara, 1973).

FORMATION OF THE MALAYSIAN FEDERATION. Soon after, Malaya Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman broached the idea to merge Malaya, Singapore, Borneo, Brunei, and Sarawak (Lee, 2018).

As history discloses, the merger was met with opposition, resistance, and even strained relations. Arousing a string of issues, it provoked Indonesia and PH particularly because of the inclusion of Sabah (North Borneo) in the new Federation.

KONFRONTASI. Whatever dreams of a ‘Greater Malaysia’ the British had, Sukarno hammered with his intent to “crush” Malaysia via confrontation (Busch, 2003).

Konfrontasi came about because of the creation of the Federation of Malaysia. In earlier talks, the 3 leaders agreed that a plebiscite would be held before the Federation was formally established. Indonesia and PH agreed they would not object if the people of North Borneo supported the Federation.

Interestingly, the 3 leaders even submitted themselves to UN jurisdiction to “ascertain the wishes of the people of Sabah (North Borneo) and Sarawak” (UN Malaysia Mission Report, 1963).

According to UN Malaysia Mission Report (1963), the Mission “would endeavor to report its conclusions by September 14, 1963”. Unfortunately, by August 29th, Malaysia overtook the UN Report by announcing the formal declaration of the Federation’s formation by September 16th. Indonesia saw this as a breach of faith and thereafter, announced a “ganyang Malaysia”, or “Crush Malaysia”.

CONCLUSION. According to Busch (2003), American officials who were likely to understand Indonesia’s position, suggested that at the heart of Konfrontasi was Jakarta’s own dream of a “Greater Indonesia”.

It is possible that indeed both Malaysia and Indonesia held bigger dreams, and the ensuing formation of the Federation became the flashpoint.

In a twist of fate, Malaya and PH, co-founders of ASA, found themselves adversaries in the political arena because of Sabah. It is interesting to see the shift in alliances. With one major move, PH found an ally in Indonesia where before Indonesia was critical of PH because of ASA.

In fact, Indonesia and PH did not recognize the formal birth of the Federation of Malaysia (De Viana, 2017). As if that weren’t enough, the 2 states pulled out their ambassadors indicating the severance of diplomatic ties.

It is quite evident that the neighboring states were jealous and suspicious of each other. I see these jealousies and suspicions as natural conditions given that the states were newly liberated and as such tried to assert their sovereignty; distance from the great powers to show independence; and rise above the painful and even shameful vestiges of a colonial past. Every country would aspire to make her mark in the world, and they were determined to do that.

The struggle was real, the road ahead was uncertain, the differences were stark. However, in the end, the ultimate desire to rise above parochial interests, suspicions, and jealousies won the day. By 1967, ASEAN was born and has continued to evolve in the face of both criticism and praise up to this day and age.

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For comments, you may reach the writer at belindabelsales@gmail.com. Twitter @ShilohRuthie./PN