A cameraman operates alongside flags of the Asean countries during a meeting of economic ministers last year in Pasay City, near Manila. This affects not just newer Asean members, but the organisation, Mr Kausikan says. Singapore and Thailand abstained and other Asean members voted against, exposing what Mr Natalegawa called Asean's "perfect disharmony". Mr Natalegawa said, "You have 'some ministers express concern', 'some ministers welcome' -- it's like a snapshot of the dynamics rather than a collective view." "What I fear now is there is even a sense of denial, as if all is well," Mr Natalegawa said.

Source: Bangkok Post September 12, 2018 21:33 UTC