ASEAN Centrality: Comparative Case Study of Indonesia Leadership

Ratih Indraswari

doi:10.21512/jas.v10i1.7906

Authors

Ratih Indraswari Parahyangan Catholic University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21512/jas.v10i1.7906

Keywords:

Centrality, Indonesia, Leadership, ASEAN

Abstract

For almost 60 years of establishment, ASEAN has received praises and disdain from institutional scholars. It is heralded as the only regionalism in Southeast Asia able to manage regional order through its normative power, but also criticized for the same power. ASEAN once again faces a challenge with the looming of Myanmar crisis. The research aimed to find out whether ASEAN Centrality, the primacy of ASEAN in addressing regional issues, is still strong enough amidst the crisis. The research provided an analysis on ASEAN Centrality by adopting an individual-state leadership concept portrayed by Indonesia as a de facto leader of ASEAN. The research methods employed qualitative explorative research by focusing on comparative case studies on the Preah Vihear and Myanmar cases. The research finds that in both cases, ASEAN Centrality prevails. However, its strength varies as Indonesia's leadership depends on mutually inclusive variables. These determining variables are institutional mandates, the domestic interest of followers, and external pressures.

Dimensions

Plum Analytics

References

Acharya, A. (2017). The myth of ASEAN centrality? Contemporary Southeast Asia, 39(2), 273-279.

Agastia, I. G. B. D. & Perwita, A. A. B. (2015). Jokowi’s maritime axis: Change and continuity of Indonesia’s role in Indo-Pacific. Journal of ASEAN Studies, 3(1), 32-41. https://doi.org/10.21512/jas.v3i1.751

Allard, T. & Costa, A. B. D. (2021, August 02). Indonesia urges Myanmar to approve appointment of ASEAN envoy. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/indonesia-urges-myanmar-approve-appointment-asean-envoy-2021-08-02/

ANU. (2021, May 24). On Myanmar, ASEAN needs to maintain the momentum. East Asia Forum. https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2021/05/24/on-myanmar-asean-needs-to-maintain-the-momentum/

Anwar, D. F. (1994). Indonesia in ASEAN: Foreign Policy and Regionalism. Regional Strategic Studies Programme, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.

Aradhana, A. (2021, March 31). Analysis: Quiet Singapore turns up volume on Myanmar as regional fears grow. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics-singapore-diplomacy-idUSKBN2BN0VS

ASEAN, hurry up. (2021, May 19). Jakarta Post. https://www.thejakartapost.com/academia/2021/05/18/asean-hurry-up.html

ASEAN diplomacy in Myanmar intensifies as EU eyes more sanctions. (2021, June 4). Aljazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/6/4/asean-diplomacy-in-myanmar-intensifies-as-eu-eyes-more

ASEAN leaders’ meeting, 24 April 2021, di Sekretariat ASEAN, Provinsi DKI Jakarta. (2021, April 24). Sekretariat Kabinet Republik Indonesia. https://setkab.go.id/asean-leaders-meeting-24-april-2021-di-sekretariat-asean-provinsi-dki-jakarta/

ASEAN leaders to visit Myanmar amid divisions within bloc over response to coup. (2021, June 02). South China Morning Post. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3135695/asean-leaders-visit-myanmar-amid-divisions-bloc-over

ASEAN makes half-hearted attempt to solve Myanmar crisis: Jakarta Post. (2021, June 03). The Star. https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2021/06/03/asean-makes-half-hearted-attempt-to-solve-myanmar-crisis-jakarta-post

ASEAN Secretariat. (2021, April 24). Chairman’s Statement on the ASEAN Leaders’ Meeting. https://asean.org/chairmans-statement-on-the-asean-leaders-meeting-24-april-2021-and-five-point-consensus-2/

ASEAN Secretariat. (2011, May 7-8). Chair’s Statement of the 18th ASEAN Summit Jakarta. https://asean.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Statement_18th_ASEAN_Summit.pdf

Beckfield, J. (2003). Inequality in the world polity: The structure of international organization. American Sociological Review, 68(3), 401-424. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1519730

Biden-Harris administration actions in response to the coup in Burma. (2021, February 11). The White House. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/02/11/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-actions-in-response-to-the-coup-in-burma/

Bland, B. (2021, April 26). Indonesia raises ASEAN’s bar on Myanmar. The Interpreter. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/indonesia-raises-asean-s-bar-myanmar

Caballero-Anthony, M. (2014). Understanding ASEAN's centrality: Based and prospects in an evolving regional architecture. The Pacific Review, 27(4), 563-584. https://doi.org/10.1080/09512748.2014.924227

Cambodian leader Hun Sen terms Myanmar coup “Internal Affairs”. (2021, February 01). VOA Cambodia. https://www.voacambodia.com/a/cambodian-leader-hun-sen-terms-myanmar-coup-internal-affairs-/5759503.html

Cerami, J. R. (2012). Leadership and Policy Innovation-From Clinton to Bush: Countering the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction. Routledge.

Clinton, H. (2011, October 11). America’s Pacific Century. Foreign Policy. https://foreignpolicy.com/2011/10/11/americas-pacific-century/

Damayanti, A. (2018). Regional maritime cooperation in maintaining maritime security and stability: A test case for ASEAN unity and centrality. Journal of ASEAN Studies, 5(2), 119-134. https://doi.org/10.21512/jas.v5i2.1888

Drajat, G. M. (2021, May 21). The Indonesia factor in ASEAN’s response to Myanmar. East Asia Forum. https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2021/05/21/the-indonesia-factor-in-aseans-response-to-myanmar/

Emmers, R. (2014). Indonesia’s Role in ASEAN: A Case of Incomplete and Sectorial Leadership. The Pacific Review, 27(4), 543–562. https://doi.org/10.1080/09512748.2014.924230

Geddie, J. (2021, October 22). Myanmar decries move to block junta leader from regional summit. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/myanmar-rejects-asean-decision-exclude-junta-leader-summit-2021-10-22/

Gilpin, R. (1981). War and Change in World Politics. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Goh, E. (2013). The Struggle for Order: Hegemony, Hierarchy, and Transition in Post-Cold War East Asia. United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.

Goldman, R. (2021, May 29). Myanmar’s coup and violence, explained. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/article/myanmar-news-protests-coup.html

International Crisis Group. (2011). Waging peace: ASEAN and the Thai-Cambodian border conflict (Executive Summary No. 215. Asia Report, pp. 1–38). https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-east-asia/thailand/waging-peace-asean-and-thai-cambodian-border-conflict

Johnson, K. & Thepgumpanat, P. (2021, April 2). Analysis: Myanmar’s neighbour Thailand unlikely to toughen stance on coup. Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmar-politics-thailand-analysis-idUSKBN2BP0LN

Kassim, Y. R. (2019). US-China conflict: Will ASEAN centrality be derailed? (RSIS Commentary No. 109). Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

Kaarbo, J. & Beasley, R. K. (1999). A practical guide to the comparative case study method in political psychology. Political Psychology, 20(2), 369–391. https://doi.org/10.1111/0162-895X.00149

Karmini, N. (2021, April 25). ASEAN leaders tell Myanmar coup general to end killings. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/aung-san-suu-kyi-global-trade-indonesia-myanmar-singapore-2959338f61cbe0b0b7c6dd7599ee6e2c

Kurus, B. (1993). Understanding ASEAN: Benefits and raison d’Etre. Asian Survey, 33(8), 819–831. https://doi.org/10.2307/2645090

Lai, L. (2019, November 03). Asean Summit: China committed to supporting ASEAN centrality, says Li Keqiang. The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/asean-summit-china-committed-to-supporting-asean-centrality-says-li-keqiang

Mueller, L. M. (2019). ASEAN centrality under threat – the cases of RCEP and connectivity. Journal of Contemporary East Asia Studies, 8(2), 177–198. https://doi.org/10.1080/24761028.2019.1691703

Myanmar's junta chief meets with ASEAN representatives. (2021, June 04). Nikkei Asia. https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Myanmar-Coup/Myanmar-s-junta-chief-meets-with-ASEAN-representatives

Myanmar coup: Generals celebrated amid global fury over massacre. (2021, March 28). BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-56547381Natalegawa, M. (2018). Does ASEAN Matter: A View from Within. Singapore: ISEAS - Yusof Ishak Institute.

Padden, B. (2011, May 5). Thailand, Cambodia Agree to Indonesian Observers at Border. VOA. https://www.voanews.com/a/thailand-cambodia-agree-to-indonesian-observers-at-border-121401724/139040.html

Palatino, M. (2021, March 09). Myanmar’s coup: The view from Manila. The Diplomat. https://thediplomat.com/2021/03/myanmars-coup-the-view-from-manila/

Phan, H. D. (2015). Institutional design and its constraints: Explaining ASEAN’s role in the Temple of Preah Vihear Dispute. Asian Journal of International Law, 5(1), 7–15. https://doi.org/10.1017/S2044251314000113

Phonevilay, L. (2021, March 15). Laos makes official statement on Myanmar. The Laotian Times. https://laotiantimes.com/2021/03/15/laos-makes-official-statement-on-myanmar/

Poling, G. (2021, May 23). Events in Myanmar leave ASEAN behind. East Asia Forum. https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2021/05/23/events-in-myanmar-leave-asean-behind/

Putra, T., Utomo, T. C., & Windiani, R. (2013). Strategi Indonesia dalam kepemimpinan ASEAN 2011 (Analisis peranan Indonesia sebagai penengah konflik Thailand-Kamboja 2008-2011). Jurnal Ilmu Pemerintahan, 2(2), 1-9.

Pongphisoot, B. (2011, May 20). Thai-Cambodian conflict: An obstacle to the ASEAN community 2015? East Asia Forum. https://www.eastasiaforum.org/2011/05/20/thai-cambodian-conflict-an-obstacle-to-the-asean-community-2015/

Quad leaders’ joint statement: “The Spirit of the Quad”. (2021, March 12). The White House. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/03/12/quad-leaders-joint-statement-the-spirit-of-the-quad/

Septiari, D. (2021, May 16). ASEAN awaits the appointment of envoy to Myanmar. The Jakarta Post. https://www.thejakartapost.com/seasia/2021/05/16/asean-awaits-the-appointment-of-envoy-to-myanmar.html

Singapore, Indonesia says ASEAN can play important role in Myanmar. (2021, February 18). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/myanmar-politics-asean-int-idUSKBN2AI0VQ

Singapore says Myanmar situation 'alarming', but no need for broad sanctions. (2021, February 16). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/singapore-says-myanmar-situation-alarming-no-need-broad-sanctions-2021-02-16/

Statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo Singapore, 22 July 2008. (2012, July 06). ASEAN. https://asean.org/statement-by-minister-for-foreign-affairs-george-yeo-singapore-22-july-2008/

Strangio, S. (2021, April 16). Special ASEAN summit on Myanmar set for April 24. The Diplomat. https://thediplomat.com/2021/04/special-asean-summit-on-myanmar-set-for-april-24/

Stubbs, R. (2014). ASEAN's leadership in East Asian region-building: Strength and weakness. The Pacific Review, 27(4), 523-541. https://doi.org/10.1080/09512748.2014.924229

Tan, S. S. (2015). Indonesia among the powers: Will ASEAN still matter to Indonesia. In C. B. Roberts, A. D. Habir, & L. C. Sebastian (Eds.), Indonesia’s Ascent (pp. 287–299). Palgrave Macmillan UK. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137397416

Taylor, A. & Westfall, S. (2021, June 18). U.N. Adopts resolution condemning Myanmar’s military junta. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/06/18/un-set-adopt-resolution-condemning-myanmars-military-junta/

The failed mission to Myanmar: Jakarta Post. (2021, June 11). The Straits Times. https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/the-failed-mission-to-myanmar-jakarta-post

Tsjeng, H. Z. (2016). ASEAN centrality: Still alive and kicking (RSIS Commentary No. 48, p. 3). Rajaratnam School of International Studies.

UNIFEED. (2021, June 18). UN/Myanmar General Assembly. United Nations UN Audiovisual Library. https://www.unmultimedia.org/avlibrary/asset/2633/2633966

UNSC. (2011, February 09). Update Report No. 1: Thailand/Cambodia. https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/update-report/lookup_c_glkwlemtisg_b_6552935.php

Vietnam Chairmanship. (2010, October 28). Chairman's Statement "Towards the ASEAN Community: from Vision to Action". ASEAN Secretariat: https://www.eria.org/2010_1028_Chairmans%20Statement_17th%20ASEAN%20Summit.pdf

VN ‘seriously concerned’ about Myanmar situation, asks for safeguarding of its citizens. (2021, March 11). Viet Nam News. https://vietnamnews.vn/politics-laws/901043/vn-seriously-concerned-about-myanmar-situation-asks-for-safeguarding-of-its-citizens.html

Wagener, M. (2011). Lessons from Preah Vihear: Thailand, Cambodia, and the nature of low-intensity border conflicts. Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs, 30(3), 27-59. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F186810341103000302

Young, O. (1991). Political Leadership and Regime Formation: on the Development. International Organization, 281-308.

Yudhoyono, S. B. (2011, May 7). Speech by H.E. Dr Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, President of the Republic of Indonesia, at the Opening of the 18th ASEAN Summit. Retrieved from https://asean.org/speech-by-h-e-dr-susilo-bambang-yudhoyono-president-of-the-republic-of-indonesia-at-the-opening-of-the-18th-asean-summit/