Asean Leaders Pledge to Stamp Out Radicalism, Promote Peace

Jakarta Globe, Apr 28, 2015

President Joko Widodo, second from right, with leaders of Asean in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia on April 27, 2015. (EPA Photo/Fazry Ismail)

Jakarta. Leaders of the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or Asean, have declared the Southeast Asian region as the area of moderation, stressing the central role of the grouping in maintaining and promoting peace, stability and prosperity in this part of the world and beyond.

“We vows to promote moderation as an Asean value that promotes peace, security and development,” read the Langkawi Declaration on the Global Movement of Moderates.

The leaders further agreed to promote the approach of moderation and uphold the rule of law in the conduct of relations among states, including in the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law.

The rise of Islamic State (IS) has been viewed as real threat to the global world, spreading ideology of violence, extremism and radicalism throughout the world.

Nationals from across the region, including those from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand, have reportedly joined IS and ventured to Syria to fight with the movement.

There has been increasing fears that those returning may form a new generation of terrorist groups which could launch attacks within Asean countries.

To prevent the spread of radicalism, leaders vowed to enhance Asean’s common agenda of peace and prosperity, which promotes political and social stability, inclusive political processes and sustainable growth providing opportunities for all and upholds dignity, and social justice.

President Joko Widodo stressed during the summit the need to maintain stability and security while achieving prosperity in the region.

“All disputes, including territorial and border disputes must be solved through peaceful means,” he told other Asean leaders in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.

On the South China Sea issue, he emphasized the need for Southeast Asian nations and China to quickly come together with a legally binding agreement, known as a Code of Conduct (COC), to create peace and prevent open conflict.

He said that all countries must refrain from making moves which could be considered aggressive in the region, urging both Asean member states and China to quickly decide on the COC.

Thirteen years after it was first proposed, the document is still under intense debate and discussion.

The leaders of Asean also committed to make the grouping a people-oriented, people-centered and rules-based Asean Community “where all people, stakeholders and sectors of society can contribute to and enjoy the benefits from a more integrated and connected Community encompassing enhanced cooperation in the political-security, economic and socio-cultural pillars for sustainable, equitable and inclusive development.”

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