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Published on November 22, 2007

Kuala Lumpur

But what happened for about 15 minutes just before they ended their closed-door dinner on Monday was for everyone to see and hear, almost every word uttered among the leaders, especially between Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his Singapore host Lee Hsien Loong.

The world media had a field day listening to the two "haggling" over the words in the chairman's statement that was later read out by Lee to the media, after Singapore's proposal to have UN special envoy to Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, brief the leaders on the situation in that country was shot down by most member countries.

It was a boo-boo by the host broadcaster that provided the live feed. The rostrum microphone positioned just outside the dining room was switched on without any of the officials standing nearby realising that the leaders' conversation could be heard.

What was evident for all to see was Abdullah in his element.

Given his years as a foreign minister, the prime minister was assertive in pointing out his views, with Lee listening intently to Abdullah.

Other leaders sat with grim faces around the table as they watched and observed the two hammering out a statement that was acceptable to all.

One foreign wire correspondent remarked: "It was a new side of Abdullah which we have never seen."

Lee also gave credit to Abdullah who, with other leaders, flanked the host during the press conference. Touching on Burma, Lee said it was a complex issue and the group was doing its best to help, adding that some of the leaders standing with him had spent many years "wrestling with the issue".

"Abdullah, particularly, was foreign minister in 1991, and he managed the issue on behalf of Malaysia and Asean," Lee said.

That aside, Singapore's proposal, which may have been seen as good one in some quarters, was rejected by other members keen to keep domestic problems within a member country, without interference from outside forces.

As an official put it: "What if Malaysia has problems in future, are we getting the UN to interfere too?"

Burma has always been a thorn in Asean's flesh since its admission into the group in 1997.

And yet with the global ostracism of Burma for its blatant human rights violations and democracy process, Asean is seen as kow-towing to the junta.

This latest episode in Singapore is one fine example of Asean bowing to Burma and how much of a headache the military junta is to the Asean family.

But while a family sticks together, it has to, within its own house, rebuke and chastise a family member.

As Lee said in his statement, Burma could not go back or stay put. Its national reconciliation has to move.

The leaders signed the landmark Asean Charter amid serious concerns even among members over recalcitrant Burma.

These concerns are understandable, as the Charter does not state that any action can be taken against a non-complying member, although the Charter turns the organisation into a rules-based organisation.

Philippines president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has implied that her Congress will not ratify the Charter if there are no changes in Burma and pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi is not released from house arrest. That's no small threat coming from the pint-sized lady.

Some members are hoping that governments will ratify the Charter within a year.

The Charter is now in jeopardy. Will the Asean dream of having a united, integrated and cohesive organisation become a reality?

Lee said the set of rules in the Charter would enable flexibility for members to move at their own pace.

Yes, Burma wants to be part of the organisation and it will move at its own snail's pace and drag Asean down with it.

So when is Asean going to tell Burma that enough is enough?

Mergawati Zulfakar

The Star

 

The Star is a member of the Asia News Network.