“However anyone might look at this, the three countries will certainly add prestige to the BRICS nations”
A COUPLE of weeks ago, three founding members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations namely Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand were reported to have become partner nations of BRICS.
(Editors Note: BRICS is an intergovernmental organization that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. The acronym was originally used to describe a group of countries with rapid economic growth whose objective is to increase economic and geopolitical cooperation among its members).
The latest, however, is that Indonesia is now a full member. Surprisingly, there was not much of a reaction from our Department of Foreign Affairs or the Palace. Considering what impact this might do to the ASEAN, there should have been at the very least a statement from the DFA or Malacanang.
However anyone might look at this, the three countries will certainly add prestige to the BRICS nations.
In the case of Vietnam, although invited to join, it apparently decided not to. Of the so-called ASEAN 6, therefore, Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines opted not to apply.
In our case, I do not believe BRICS even considered us as a potential member. But make no mistakes about it, this development will become problematic for the ASEAN in the long term.
One reason for this is because slowly but surely, the current world order established by the Western powers in the aftermath of the Second World War is now being split into to two spheres.
One is led by Western countries under the leadership of the United States and the other are the so-called BRICS countries with China being considered the most powerful member assuming the role of being the de facto leader.
Another reason is what would the three countries do if the BRICS nations take a position in international affairs contrary to the interest of the ASEAN as a whole?
Over the past several years, the ASEAN has had its own internal problems but the bloc simply decided to set these differences aside rather than confront them head on.
An example of this is how to handle what is going on in Myanmar.
It is no secret there is disagreement on how to handle Myanmar’s military junta rulers. Should the bloc force Myanmar’s military junta to stand down and conduct an internationally supervised election or simply let them continue to remain in power.
The failure of the ASEAN to make a stand has somewhat affected its international standing. We also do not know whether this has affected the decision of East Timor to hold its application for full membership in the ASEAN.
If there will be differences, would it be possible the three ASEAN members that are now BRICS partner countries choose BRICS and break away from ASEAN? And what will the three remaining ASEAN six members do now?
Singapore is trying to remain in the middle. Western in its outlook, government and economy, it wants to maintain close relations with the Western world and China at the same time while trying hard to enhance its military capabilities.
Vietnam as far as we can tell would like to move closer to the West especially for its defense needs but, for reasons of geography and economics, has to play ball with its giant neighbor China. Vietnam, therefore, is walking a tightrope. How far this policy will be maintained remains to be seen.
For us, there is no question where our interests are. The current administration has moved the country both economically and on matters of national defense to the West.
We have enhanced our defense agreements with our former colonial master and treaty ally the United States and signed a new defense agreements with Australia and our old enemy Japan.
We are also exploring the possibility of other defense agreements with other Western nations.
All these have been driven by China occupying part of what is internationally recognized as our Exclusive Economic Zone.
But this is not a permanent position. Come 2028, this could very well change if the people will elect VP Sarah Duterte President in the 2028 national elections.
We know her father when he was president wanted the country to become a province of China. He later said he was only joking.
But joking or not, it is not something a president should be saying. There you are. Maintain the current course or elect someone who might bring us closer to China.