T

he opening of the 27th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Friday morning was impressive. Like many Malaysians and foreign dignitaries whose memories go back to the founding of ASEAN, I was filled with new hope for ASEAN'€™s future.

Indeed, ASEAN economies will be stifled if we do not resolve to collaborate to overcome this deadly terrorist threat to our very sustainability. Since Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak will be chairing the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) next month, I sensed, as I sat through the summit'€™s opening meeting, some concern as well.

Most of those present would have asked in their minds, especially when the PM asked us to close our eyes and ponder over ASEAN '€” what leadership and what example would Malaysia set for the other nine ASEAN countries to follow in the years ahead?

The stage is now set for ASEAN and all Aseanites to forge forward for a better future that can be an example of peace and unity and prosperity worldwide.

The challenge is to further strengthen the new ASEAN spirit, not only at government level, but also the ASEAN community, especially ordinary people '€” the farmers, fishermen, small businesses, and particularly the youth and all strata of our ASEAN community. So, congratulations and good luck to ASEAN. Let us all pledge that as Aseanites, we dare to go firmly forward as the new ASEAN community.

Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam
Chairman, ASLI'€™s Centre of Public Policy Studies
'€” New Straits Times/ANN/Kuala Lumpur