I HAVE written numerous times about the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). Most often, the focus was on the importance of the role of civil society in Asean.

While the topic is not new, it needs to be made a constant reminder. This is simply because after five decades, while there has been “recognition” of the role of civil society to some extent, the approaches of Asean governments in accepting civil society remain varied, with most having consistently resisted civil society’s participation and engagement.

Until today, civil society organisations remain a partner that has been “marginalised” in major Asean affairs.

In an article I wrote in 2015, I quoted what former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had said at a forum on Asean in Kuala Lumpur. Halfway through his opening remarks, Abdullah paused and said something like: “There’s kind of too many issues that Asean has to cover, isn’t it?”

The whole room burst out in laughter, but he had, in fact, hit the nail on the head. The fact that there are so many issues to cover under one umbrella – that’s exactly why the role of civil groups needs to be enhanced.

The civil society organisation has a unique role, to expand and promote the civic space, by bringing us, the people, into the political sphere and mobilising a range of popular voices to address our governments on issues of interest. This is essential especially because it is in line with the main theme of Asean, which is being a people-oriented community.

Asean is a regional organisation that is supposed to be close to our hearts, but most of the time, many are sceptical of its potential. This is partly due to the lack of awareness about the organisation itself.

In this article, I would like to shift the focus to Malaysia’s role in Asean. All eyes were on Malaysia when Pakatan Harapan won the 14th general election, a first for an opposition coalition in the nation’s 61 years. Hopes and expectations are high, not just locally, but also regionally.

As one of the founders of Asean, the organisation is a priority in Malaysia’s foreign policy. During Malaysia’s 2015 chairmanship of the bloc, the notion of a people-centric Asean was framed in such a way that it would be a powerful vehicle for the realisation of people’s aspirations and opportunities for all.

It was put forward by Malaysia at the time that Asean community building had taken more of a top-down approach, and that it was time for a transformation into a bottom-up approach, where Asean governments should learn to listen to their people.

Regionalism in Southeast Asia has been traditionally state-centric. It is a general view that Asean was born as, and in many ways, remains as, a club of elites, where little space is given to civil society actors.

Asean celebrates its 51st anniversary this year, and its cooperation, founded on the principle of non-interference, stays. However, this should not be an excuse for the organisation not to move forward.

In conjunction with the 51st Asean Day, which falls today, I would like to take this opportunity to appeal to our new foreign minister, Saifuddin Abdullah, to take the lead and put civil society on the Asean agenda.

Civil society organisations, through the established Asean Civil Society Conference/Asean People’s Forum (ACSC/APF), have limited access to key Asean policymakers.

Last year, ASCS/APF did not manage to take place in Laos due to concerns about possible restrictions and limited freedom of expression, which are inconsistent with the agreed-upon ACSC/APF modality of engagement. What happened was, the event finally took place in Timor-Leste, although the nation has not yet been accepted as a member of Asean.

Prior to his role in the Foreign Ministry, Saifuddin was known as one of the few politicians to have a good relationship with civil society organisations. He is among the very few who try their best to make time for these groups’ events, and provides his support in whichever way possible.

Civil society groups serve well as the bridge on which to bring people’s grievances to the government. But, there has to be political will from Asean governments to listen to them.

It is my fervent hope that Saifuddin will take the lead and put civil society groups on the Asean agenda, despite the structural hindrances. – August 8, 2018.

Dr Khoo Ying Hooi is a senior lecturer at the Department of International and Strategic Studies, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Malaya.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.