©The Star
(Used by permission)
by Datuk Abdullah Ali
Tunku mooted the idea of forming the Association of Southeast Asia, the
forerunner of Asean, and worked hard to make it a reality.
MENTION Asean (Association of South–East Asian Nations) and chances are there
would be a bunch of heads nodding enthusiastically in recognition of, or at
least pretending to recognise, this internationally renowned acronym.
Casually enquire as to how Asean came about, who mooted the idea, and the
foundations upon which it was built, and chances are a few of these nodding
heads would look away, a little perplexed, slightly baffled, and perhaps even
just that little bit embarrassed.
Who indeed? His name was Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al–Haj, popularly referred to
as Bapa Malaysia.
I first had the privilege of serving Tunku in the early 1960s. I was then a
low–ranking officer whose designation was assistant secretary (economic) in
charge of all economic matters in the then External Affairs Ministry (now known
as the Foreign Affairs Ministry).
When Tunku first proposed the idea of closer cooperation among countries of
South–East Asia, especially in the economic, social, cultural and other fields,
I was brought into the Committee (known at that time simply as the Working
Committee headed by the late Tun Raja Mohar) that was formed to investigate its
viability.
At this point I would like to deviate a bit and talk about ASA (Association of
Southeast Asia), the forerunner of Asean, because the entire concept was
founded, then developed to maturity, almost solely as a result of an idea that
originated in the mind of Tunku.
The premise upon which the future Asean would be based began to take shape when
Tunku visited the Philippines in January 1959. When he proposed the idea to
President Garcia, the country’s then President, the outcome was an official
endorsement in the shape of a joint statement called the Rahman/Garcia
Communiqué, which was officially issued at the end of Tunku’s visit.
From these rather unassuming roots began a series of consultations. On his part,
beginning at the end of October 1959, Tunku wrote to the (government) leaders of
Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam
primarily to outline the main raison d’etres of his proposal, thus inviting
their reactions and feedback.
While responses from all countries concerned were received as of November 1959
through to January 1960, only Thailand and the Philippines were prepared at that
stage to officially form an association, which they later collectively agreed to
name ASA – a befitting acronym indeed as “asa” means “hope” in the languages of
all three countries. While the initial reception was less than encouraging, the
Government of Malaya remained enthusiastic and positive.
None more so, of course, than Tunku himself.
Thus, on July 31, 1961, in Bangkok, ASA was officially launched. Once again I
would like to remind not only the people of Malaysia but also those of
South–East Asia that Asean, as the world knows it today, exists primarily due to
the aspirations, commitment, and determination of one man: Tunku Abdul Rahman
Putra Al–Haj.
I worked closely with him on everything associated with ASA. I used to see him
at least once a week; and on one such occasion, I was asked to see him at
12.30pm.
During the meeting, as soon as approval was given for some matters of which I
have only a distant memory, Tunku looked at his watch and emphatically stated,
“It’s time for lunch!” One can only imagine the surprise and honour I felt when
he then said, “Dollah, come and join me.”
If only he knew that on a few future occasions I had deliberately requested for
a meeting at 12.30pm! And, yes, inevitably he never failed to ask me to lunch!
In the period I worked with him, I found him to be an extraordinary man. Most of
all, he was kind and considerate to everyone, and generous to a fault. He also
entertained a lot.
While these events were not really lavish, they were, more importantly, given
and organised with sincerity and happiness. Thus, it should come as no surprise
to be told that his guests, especially foreign ones, were always more than eager
to enjoy his hospitality.
THE late Datuk Abdullah Ali was one of the pioneers of the Malaysian Foreign
Service. He served in more than 12 countries and was, among others, Malaysia’s
representative at the United Nations in New York and first Secretary–General of
the Association of Southeast Asia (ASA), the forerunner of Asean. He also wrote
The Story of ASA, a monograph published by the Foreign Affairs Ministry in 1963,
and a definitive study on protocols, Malaysian Protocol and Correct Forms of
Address (1986).
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Tunku’s part in the birth of Asean
22 Aug 2007 12:00 am