Maritime security has evolved as a significant focus within the ASEAN framework, beginning notably with the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). The urgency for enhanced maritime security led to broader discussions at the Bali Concord II in 2003, culminating in the creation of the ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF) and Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF) in 2012. These initiatives have facilitated regional collaboration, exemplified by the ‘Eyes in the Sky’ project and Japan’s involvement in the 2006 Regional Agreement on Cooperation Against Armed Piracy. The established frameworks have successfully fostered commitment, relevance, gradual expansion, and networking among member states.
Recognizing the multifaceted maritime issues affecting its region, ASEAN’s Political-Security Community Blueprint 2025 underscores the need to build on past achievements in maritime cooperation. To this end, three key actions are proposed.
First, an ASEAN-only maritime security partnership (AMSP) could enhance solidarity among member states. Landlocked nations like Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia may not prioritize maritime issues due to their geographical constraints. However, the collective interest in maintaining regional peace and stability underscores the necessity of maritime cooperation. The AMSP should foster a proactive response to regional maritime challenges, promoting trust-building among ASEAN members without portraying it as a military coalition against external powers.
Second, the centralization of Maritime Coordination Centres (MCC) could strengthen information sharing and collaboration, leveraging existing frameworks like the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management to build a hub for maritime operational data. This consolidation could enhance the region’s maritime domain awareness, allowing for improved tactical responses to threats.
Lastly, creating a centralized task force to address maritime challenges would streamline efforts against transnational crime while remaining non-confrontational towards major powers. The example of Malaysia’s National Task Force and Thailand’s MECC indicates the potential benefit of coordinated tasks across national boundaries, reinforcing regional cooperation.
Existing collaborations such as the Trilateral Cooperative Agreement (TCA) between Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, along with the Malacca Straits Coordinated Patrol, highlight ASEAN’s capacity for independent maritime cooperation. The proposed AMSP and centralization efforts aim to improve trust, transparency, and operational efficacy among member states. Ultimately, these initiatives aim to foster a unified approach to maritime governance, enhancing both security and economic stability in the region.
Dr. Tharishini Krishnan, a Senior Lecturer in Strategic Studies at the National Defence University Malaysia, emphasizes that through these proposed actions, ASEAN can build strong maritime partnerships, contributing to balanced burden sharing and effective governance in maritime security.
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