Over the last two weeks, much hype on media is about the United Kingdom's historical referendum on leaving the European Union bloc or Brexit. There was an earlier referendum back in 2014 which involved Scotland on leaving the United Kingdom. 55% then voted to remain part of the United Kingdom. In 2016, it is a different story. A few days before the EU referendum, the early polls found UK to remain part of the EU, much to the satisfaction of Remain camp lead by outgoing Prime Minister, David Cameron. Boris Johnson, former London Mayer who lead the Leave camp was said to have prepared a concession speech already night before the referendum. The speech, however, was never delivered as 52% or 17 million voters voted to leave the EU, ending almost 4 decades association with the largest political bloc in the world. The aftermath of Brexit was devastating: Britain leadership crisis, pound falling to its lowest level in over 30 years, Xenophobic attacks, among others. Much of the discussion about the consequences of leaving the EU now seems to take place, including potential global economy recession which yet to recover from 2008 global financial crisis. This article seeks to discuss the impact of Brexit on ASEAN, a political and economic bloc of 10-strong state member of Southeast Asian nations.
One of the main arguments of the Leave camp on Brexit is immigration. The sudden influx of migrants from the Middle East, particularly from Syria and Iraq to Europe has shocked many EU leaders. The migrants had taken advantages of the EU free movement of people policy to roam free around the EU states, to much dissatisfaction of the EU. The EU then decided to impose immigration quotas on most EU states. The imposed quotas was seen as a direct intervention of EU on states' domestic affairs and tested states' sovereignty. Some states took extreme measures of dismantling the immigration flow by building walls and restricting the boarder controls. The EU also struck a deal with Turkey to redirect the migrant flow back to Turkey. The deal intends to 'bring peace and stability to the European Union'. Some human rights groups are against the deal, suggesting the deal as a human rights violation of freedom of movement. Besides, ASEAN was also hit by a migrant crisis because of an ongoing conflict between the government of Myanmar and the muslim-majority Rakhine people. Most of the migrants were left stranded at Malacca Strait stretching between Malaysia and Indonesia. They were saved by both countries after international pressures told them to do so. Despite the crisis, both Malaysia and Indonesia have not directly interfered with the conflict happening in Myanmar. It is a common practice of ASEAN states not to interfere with domestic affairs of its members believing members' capacity to resolve it on their own. ASEAN must learn from Brexit and stand affirm with the common practice to ensure long-lasting ASEAN partnership regardless of Myanmar's bad human rights records because of states sovereignty. It was decided by International Court of Justice in the case of Temple of Preah Vihear (Cambodia v Thailand) that Thailand was under an obligation to withdraw any military forces as it was found that the Temple of Preah Vihear was situated in territory under the sovereignty of Cambodia.
Considering state intervention, think about China growing presence in ASEAN. South China Sea dispute has taken China and Philippines to the ICJ. China's One Belt, One Road policy, on the other hand, involves a few ASEAN countries including Malaysia and Laos. China direct involvement in Foreign Direct Investment in Malaysia has lifted Malaysia's economy suffered from dropping oil prices. ASEAN formed ASEAN Economic Community last year to create a single market and allow free movement of labour. Some ASEAN countries signed TPPA to a bit displeasure of some other ASEAN countries. However, ASEAN has Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership to conclude and possible ASEAN-EU FTA.
In conclusion, ASEAN must keep up the progress on AEC apart from maintaining non-intervention of domestic affairs and conclude RCEP.
No comments:
Post a Comment