This event deserves reporting on because it is rare that an official entity within the complex and abstruse ASEAN constellation would dare tackle such a sensitive issue.

Actually, while researching for this piece, I could not avoid connecting the dots between the forum’s theme and the volatility and fragility of nations.

Immutable political systems where the status quo dominates the political narrative and the day-to-day agenda can suddenly crack. Unfortunately, democracy and human rights are all too often brushed under the carpet, taken for granted or simply ignored.

Why should we care about them when we have political stability that ensures steady economic growth and massive infrastructure development?

Everybody knows this is the top-down approach that has been in vogue and the mainstream in many parts across the Asia-Pacific region. The thinking behind it is that it is smarter, more convenient and effective to focus on the bottom line regarding substantial “stuff”.

Democracy and human rights do not matter. At most, they are nice and complementary but not indispensable additions.