LETTER | Another Thai prime minister has been thrown out by a Constitutional Court designed by the military.

Not once, not twice, but three times in five years. And yet, the Asean Chair, our prime minister, after his lengthy speech in China, has nothing to say.

This silence is not surprising. It is the product of “Asean’s DNA”. Since its founding, Asean has been built on the doctrine of non-interference, a code that protects authoritarian rulers more than it protects the government of the people.

Asean is a master of ritual. Leaders prefer pomp over principle. They meet in seven-star hotels, flags are raised, anthems are sung, and “centrality” is declared.

But on matters of principle, the defence of democracy, the rule of law, and civilian supremacy over the military - Asean is absent. Myanmar remains in the grip of a junta despite Asean’s so-called “five-point consensus.”

Thailand cycles between elections and judicial coups under an absolute monarchy.

‘Patchwork of regimes’

Malaysia’s own trajectory is slipping, with institutions weakened and corruption tolerated. Cambodia has just witnessed a dynastic handover from Hun Sen to his son without a whisper of regional concern.

Asean is a patchwork of regimes: absolute monarchies, one-party states, military juntas, and fragile democracies.

To speak out against Thailand today may set a precedent that tomorrow could be used against others. And so, silence becomes the regional consensus.

When Asean governments refuse to act, then the people of Asean must do so.

Students, workers, professionals, and civil society must imagine a “People’s Asean” - one that honours democracy, justice, and accountability.

Otherwise, the region will remain backwards for a long time to come.

The writer is a former law minister. This article first appeared on his Facebook account and is reproduced here with permission.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.