In this period of globalisation, a country's sole effort can easily be undermined by the rapid changes happening around the globe. In order to survive, one has to recognize that it cannot act alone and neither can it isolate itself from these changes. Globalisation requires the strength and collective effort of a larger community, and innovative way among each other to survive and compete in a bigger and more complex arena. It is from this very condition that the essence of regional integration serves its purposes. .
ASEAN has triumphed in some ways, particularly in achieving its goal of having all ten South East Asian countries in a single regional body. However, it fails to act as "one community" in the most challenging circumstances that has faced the region. At some point, ASEAN has almost become insignificant in the international and within the community during the height of the financial crisis, the haze problem and the Cambodian conflict. Unresolved problems such as territorial disputes among members, the domestic instability in each country and the continuous threat posed by China become evidences of the Association's incapability to live up to its purpose. ASEAN has become vulnerable to these challenges because it has kept itself away from changes, thus staying in the surface of its integration. For one, it has maintained a loose form of co-operation, which is not at all bad but as proven from its past experiences, it has become ineffective to give solutions to regional problems. Second, the absence of more legally binding agreements has failed to generate a "real commitment" among member countries. Therefore, there is no "pressure" that can push members to further deepen their loyalties in the regional association. Third, supranationality may not be applicable to ASEAN since ASEAN and the EU have different "values". Unfortunately, ASEAN has remained slow and even "refused" to find ways in order to implement its programmes and courses of actions more effectively.
