ASEAN should consider move from consensus

Indonesia's presidential aspirant Jusuf Kalla warns that geopolitics may require a more decisive ASEAN. In his keynote speech, ‘Southeast Asia in 2013 and Beyond: Its Global Role and Challenge’, to the Regional Outlook Forum 2013 held in Singapore, the former co-ordinating minister and vice president says South East Asia’s ability to maintain peace is an important factor in its growing economy, more so than other regions.

According to the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies’ report of the forum, Mr Kalla, emphasises that the region has to stay alert to domestic conflicts, terrorism, border disputes, and conflicts involving external powers and proposes that  ASEAN consider reforming its decision-making process to allow member states to vote for possible solutions if the current consensus approach did not work.

The digital version of the ISEAS Monitor, Regional Outlook Forum edition,  is  available free-of-charge for a period of time. Download the report here.