Fifth Plenary Session – Constructing a Regional Security Community – The Rt. Honourable Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Razak

 

 

 

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

 

In examining the strategic landscape of the region, one can either take the optimistic or the pessimistic viewpoint. It was once said that both contribute to the society. The optimist invents the aeroplane and the pessimist, the parachute.  Anyway, it was also said that in the future, the pessimist may be proved right, but it is the optimist who has a better time on the trip.  We know that most economists are pessimists as they predicted 8 out of 3 depressions!

 

Allow me to make several points, which I see as critical issues when we discuss the subject of a regional security community.

 

When we talk of a community, we have to think in terms of constructing a security village, by which its inhabitants share common security values.  These values must be predicated on a shared basis. We all recognise that members of this community differ in many ways.  We are at different levels and stages of political and economic developments and there exists a myriad of diverse religious and ethnic groups within our region. However, everybody, from here to Hanoi, Bangkok to Bali, Penang to Phnom Phen, long for peace and prosperity. 

 

The spirit of a common value system must be inculcated in this village.  While we can identify several, I like to highlight on the value of helping one another as an important component to our sense of belonging.

 

We have seen how during the Tsunami, aid and assistance poured in to the affected areas. Most recently, in Java, in and around JogJakarta, medical and rescue teams were deployed swiftly, and this was a good and an encouraging sign. But still I understand, we could have been more organised and better coordinated.

 

In this regard, I like to propose the setting up of a regional-based humanitarian relief coordinating centre, by which member states will commit a set of forces, made up of civilian and military personnel, in the event a disaster strikes in any part of the region.  Training and contingency plans could be drawn out and in the event something happens and help is needed, then this Centre could be activated.  If we can put our minds together, and create this Centre, then, the security village that I talk of would have a well meaning and a purposeful existence. I am confident that we have the political will to realise this.

 

The attacks on 9/11 killed around 4,000 people, the earthquake in Java last week saw more than 6,000 perish. If we could set up many anti-terrorist centres all over, then I am sure we can create this regional-based humanitarian relief coordinating centre.

Ladies and gentlemen,

 

In building this village, I like to further suggest that we try and change our mindset in how we look at security and defence issues – from a traditional hard-nose assessment of the security dilemma, of which power politics often drives the thinking – to something that looks at security on a more altruistic perspective – for the good of our fellowmen.  It is so easy to provide a negative prognosis of the security milieu – which would justify a move to a much more Machiavellian approach. Granted, that we need to be vigilant and to make regular security assessments as the environment undergoes periodic shifts. However, if we view things based on a purely black and white mindset, then we may well end up with a self fulfilling prophesy.

 

That is why this village that we are constructing must be on an all inclusive approach. We should leave nobody out as those that are excluded will invariably feel that they are the target.  We must not make enemies here in this village. The security that we seek in this community is common security – security for all.  It is not just the security of states or of sea-lines, but the safety of its peoples.

 

I like to revisit the notion of comprehensive security, which is probably regarded as passé these days. I think this is as relevant today as it was yesterday. From crimes to poverty – these societal illnesses are very much here – alive and kicking.  Poverty is the basis of the many conundrums of our society. It was Aristotle who said that the parent of revolution is poverty.  

 

In this respect, economic management would be one of its pillars. I believe strongly that the fundamental principle for governments to adhere to, is the equitable distribution of the nation’s wealth and to place this at the very heart of its raison d’être.

 

Therefore, we cannot isolate nor insulate ourselves from the broader issue of state building. Let me say here, that state building and the more challenging nation building, forms the very basic element in the construction of a community.   

 

While the region boasts the two oldest civilizations in the world, that of Indus and Chinese – the emergence of state systems are relatively new, even more so, if we look at domestic political democratic institutions.  The latest problem in Timor Leste illustrates the fragility of a newly emerging state.  We must lend a helping hand when the need arises.  This is precisely what we did, when Malaysia very quickly deployed a contingent to Timor in order to help keep the peace.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

We need to go beyond words. We need to encourage a greater level of cooperation in a variety of areas, which would enhance our notion of a security community. The convening of the inaugural ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting in Kuala Lumpur last month is most encouraging. We all recognise in many of our political systems that the military is subservient to the leadership. While the ultimate decision to commit military force lies in civilian hands, the military has an enormous role to play.  That is why military diplomacy is becoming a recognised form of diplomatic activity as it complements and even provides direction to political understanding.  Contrary to a skewed public perception, the military is probably the most mindful and cautious of any institutions about going to war.  

 

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

As a way to conclude, let me say here that we are given a unique opportunity to start build this security village. There is political will and what we need is the wisdom behind its construction.  We need engineers as much as we need architects.  But we do need more than just that. We need social workers, we need doctors and nurses, and we need teachers and benevolent leaders too.

 

I started off by talking about being either an optimist or a pessimist. It is clear that we need to be sanguine and to be a positive thinker. As the saying goes, ‘a pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, while an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty’.

 

No one will deny that we are living in a highly complex and challenging world. So let us seize the opportunity at hand, and begin to construct a meaningful security village, by which all the inhabitants can have a better and peaceful life, not just for tomorrow but for today.    

 

Thank you.