ASEAN Combats a Fever
Kimberley Layton
Research Intern, IPCS
e-mail: wheres_kim@hotmail.com

Southeast Asia has no hegemon, rather a proliferation of political, economic and socio-cultural networks. Regional concerns must be addressed through collective action if they are to be adequately confronted. At an epistemological level, Southeast Asian nations often find themselves taking conflicting positions. Groupings such as ASEAN are designed to overcome disagreements and encourage coherent responses to regional emergencies, despite any divergent opinions that may exist within member states. ASEAN is integral to the Southeast Asian security environment. When it works effectively, it contributes a great deal to regional security both cognitively and tangibly. Encouragingly, the organization, as well as its individual member states, has responded admirably to the swine flu scare. The security risk posed by a possible global pandemic has almost paradoxically resulted in an increased sense of unity across Southeast Asia, spearheaded by the organization.

While swine flu, or Influenza-A (H1N1), affects pigs more often than humans, it is not unusual for pigs to transmit the flu virus to humans. The name simply means that this particular flu strain contains genetic material from pig influenza. Governments across the world have reacted with varying levels of anxiety to a potential swine flu epidemic. EU health officials advised against “all non-essential travel” to the US, and Russia and China banned US exports of pork and in Russia’s case, all raw meat exports, significantly disrupting US trade. This is despite assurances from the World Health Organization (WHO) that swine flu cannot be passed to humans via cooked pork.

Meanwhile, Southeast Asian nations appear to have realised, thankfully, that perspective and calm cooperation are key to reacting adeptly the current situation. In that region at least, there may be some positive regional developments as a result of the increased cooperation driven by the threat of a swine flu pandemic. ASEAN has been able to respond proactively to swine flu stating that “member states are better prepared now following the experience from recent SARS and avian influenza outbreaks. ASEAN has the existing mechanisms and networks for strengthening preparedness and response to a possible pandemic." Overall, its quick response to the crisis demonstrates a level of consensus and coherency that is testament to the increasing strength of the organization.

ASEAN has responded to the crisis by calling for a meeting of its ten member states as well as representatives from China, Japan and South Korea. The emergency summit will be held in Bangkok, Thailand from 7-8 May in the wake of the cancellation of the 14th ASEAN summit, which fell victim to violent protests on the 11 April. Amid current security concerns, Thai Army chief Anupong Paojinda gave his personal guarantee on the safety of ASEAN health ministers saying that he could guarantee their safety, “100 percent." If Thailand can manage to host a successful ASEAN assembly in May it will be a huge win for the Thai government, who are looking to regain some standing both domestically and internationally. It would engender a much-needed impression of stability to the troubled country, which would reassure a nervous Thai population of the strength of their government.

Other regional activity has also occurred between ASEAN member states, though removed from the official ASEAN framework, which has been extremely positive. In a recently released statement, ASEAN noted that “member states are now intensifying surveillance, coordinating and collaborating in the sharing of pertinent information, raising public awareness and taking necessary precautionary public health measures." Malaysia’s Sarawak state intensified its cooperation with Brunei and Indonesia's Kalimantan provinces in taking measures against the flu. Sarawak's Deputy Chief Minister, George Chan, commented that “cooperation is essential through the movement of people across border checkpoints...for example, visitors leaving and arriving will be screened, especially those who returned from the affected countries via Brunei." Increased cooperation between Asian states, particularly in relation to cross-border security, is an encouraging step forward and a demonstrator of ever-increasing Southeast Asian unity.

The swine flu emergency has proven that ASEAN is not simply a forum for dispute resolution, nor an arena devoted solely to the propagation of agreements and treaties. In a time of regional uncertainty and crisis, it can respond competently. This is reassuring not only for Southeast Asia, but for the Asian region as a whole. If a pandemic does occur in Southeast Asia, its affects may well be significantly mitigated by a strong ASEAN, and if it does not occur, the region may well have the organization to thank.

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