Indonesia should abide by ASEAN charter: Observer

JAKARTA: Executive Director of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), Begi Hersutanto, opined that Indonesia should abide by the ASEAN Charter because it would have a positive effect on the country's legal and political development.

"As one of the ASEAN member countries and signatory of the ASEAN Charter, Indonesia has to abide by the Charter," the official said.

Hersutanto said further that since the ASEAN Charter was signed by the heads of ASEAN member states on December 2007, it had improved legal ties among the countries.

"Thus, Indonesia should abide by the ASEAN Charter both legally and politically," he said in observance of the ASEAN anniversary, which falls on Aug. 8.

He said the ASEAN Charter also brought about a significant improvement in international law, as well as regional affairs.

Regarding the ASEAN Charter, several tasks need to be completed, including solving border disputes, Hersutanto said.

ASEAN, which was established on Aug. 8, 1967, includes Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam. - JP