THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN FACING
ASEAN Community *)
Arman Anwar **)
- Introduction
In the era of ASEAN community development, both in building economic, socio-cultural, political and security pillars, there is a good intention to create an ASEAN community based on shared norms and values, creating a cohesive and stable region based on shared responsibility and comprehensive and dynamic security in the midst of an increasingly integrated world. The noble desire to build this region into a competitive region, increasing development and social welfare, justice and human rights in ASEAN identity is expected to narrow the development gap between ASEAN member countries.
Realizing this noble ideal certainly requires hard work and readiness. civil society in each ASEAN member country. civil society or also often called civil society is a concept ideal society, a civilized society, upholding human values in diversity,and advance in mastery of science and technology. Therefore, M. Dawam Rahardjo defines civil society as a process of creating civilization that refers to shared policy values (M.Dawan Rahardjo. Civil Society: Religion, Middle Class and Social Change. Jakarta: LP3ES, 1999. p. xxiii). A. Syafii Maarif calls civil society an open, egalitarian and tolerant society based on transcendental ethical-moral values that originate from God's revelation (A. Syafii Maarif, 2004: 84).
The problem is preparing or forming a civil society as a society democratic where to its members aware of their rights and obligations
in voicing opinions and realizing their interests, where the government provides the widest possible opportunities for citizens' creativity to realize development programs in their region.a, it requires a fairly long process and time. Mcivil society is not a society that instant or once done, empty from values, taken for granted. Civil society is ka fluid concept formed from pra long historical process and continuous struggle. If we examine societies in developed countries that can be said to be civilized, there are several prerequisites that must be met to become a civilized society, namely the existence of a government. which is based on values democratsthe (democratic governance) and civil societynew that able to practice democratic values (democratic civilian) in all activities of national and state life by always uphold high values civil security, civil responsibility and civil resilience. This kind of precondition is very necessary when entering into a broader and more complex relational relationship such as the ASEAN community.
- Opportunities and Challenges in the ASEAN Community
As opportunities emerge within the momentum of ASEAN community cooperation, we will also be faced with the challenge of intensifying trade competition among ASEAN countries, whether we like it or not. Therefore, some ASEAN member states who are unprepared, let alone understand the urgency of establishing an ASEAN Economic Community, will likely perceive that the momentum of this cooperation will lead to intense competition in the goods and services trade sector within the ASEAN single market. Concerns about the influx of foreign cultural values, which may be difficult to contain, will also arise, as will concerns about the escalation of political and security tensions in the region due to the domino effect of the resulting impacts. These concerns are well-founded and warrant vigilance. The ASEAN single market will undoubtedly lead to increased competition in the trade and industrial sectors. Cultural cohesion and the scale of security threats in some areas due to border disputes have the potential to lead to conflict that could create regional vulnerability. Therefore, only countries with well-maintained economic, socio-cultural, political, and security stability will be able to compete and reap the benefits. Extraordinary potential
The benefits that can be achieved include the creation of extensive employment opportunities in production facilities, service providers, and industry, improving the quality of health services and public health, reducing poverty and socioeconomic disparities. The positive impact will also be felt in the increase in people's economic income due to high economic growth, the influx of large foreign exchange reserves for the country or regional PAD, and the expansion of economic scope that can increase the attractiveness of regions as investment and tourism destinations. All of this can only occur if the government is managed with the principles of good governance and is able to accelerate the adjustment of domestic regulations and standardization needed for these goals. In essence, ASEAN economic cooperation promises economic resources and the distribution of welfare that will be enjoyed more by the people. Conversely, countries and regional governments that are unprepared will be eroded by the strong currents of competition and competitiveness against various countries in capturing market share and production areas. Ultimately, they will only be spectators and guests in their own homes.
Competition between countries will inevitably give rise to conflict. 'trade war' (trade war), because on the one hand, there are countries that have the ability to manage economic potential with a professional management system and supported by the development of advanced science and technology and managed with the principle of high efficiency because it is supported by qualified community and government resources and strong business actors. Strong countries like these will be better able to capture market opportunities in the trade and industry sector and are able to expand their production and service bases in other countries. Meanwhile, for countries that have large market potential with a high level of consumers, but weak community resources and government readiness is less intelligent in regulating international trade regulations and policies to protect the domestic market properly, plus their business actors are less professional, it will certainly be an opportunity for these strong countries to gain significant profits from these weaknesses. This reality is in accordance with the fact that the inequality in the trade and industry sectors between ASEAN member countries is still a concern, disparities in this sector cause varying levels of community readiness in each ASEAN member country. This is evident when entering the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).
The economic disparity between ASEAN countries remains quite wide. Singapore's per capita GDP, for example, is 35 times greater than Myanmar's. Similarly, inferior healthcare services in several ASEAN countries further widen this gap. A closer look at the health sector reveals low budget allocations in several ASEAN countries. Suboptimal coordination in the use of donor funds remains very limited, even when compared to the significant percentage of private sector capital participation in the total health budget. This demonstrates a clear effect: the health sector has become a profit-oriented economic commodity. Ultimately, healthcare costs in these countries become prohibitive, making healthcare difficult for the less fortunate.
There is still a wide disparity in prosperity within the societies of each ASEAN member country. For example, in Indonesia alone, the 40 richest individuals possess wealth equivalent to 10% of Indonesia's GDP. Therefore, according to a report from Institute for Management Development (IMD) that Indonesia's economic competitiveness is still below other ASEAN countries, which is in 42nd position. Meanwhile, the Philippines has successfully surpassed Indonesia in 38th position. and the position of three other countries, such as Singapore is in 5th position, Malaysia 15th, and Thailand 27th. Realizing this, only ASEAN countries that have high competitiveness by dominating the market and having strong and efficient business actors as well as an even level of people's welfare will dominate this era.
A reality like this could make Indonesia itself in the context of the ASEAN community (ASEAN Community) Instead of being in a dominant position, Indonesia has become the object of domination by other ASEAN countries, even internationally. If so, what must Indonesia do? Indonesia must strive to realize a civil society to face the ASEAN community. Thorough preparation is required, taking into account the opportunities available, the challenges faced, and the strategic steps that must be taken. Again, this can only be achieved if the Indonesian nation first fulfills the prerequisites for a civil society.
- The Role of Civil Society in Facing ASEAN Society
As the meaning of the word madani is civilized (berformannersan) then actually the role of civil society as a typical ideal society, is very important in facing the multicultural, dynamic, competitive and integrative ASEAN society.
Civil society is more empoweredcharacter unity and mutual cooperation, therefore,elithism that refers to excessive worship of social strata or classes based on wealth, power and prestige must be eliminated by maintaining a balance of interests individuals and exclusive groups into society through social contracts and social alliances the open one,regular, and mutual trust.believean and social relations between groups can be created when working together is not prioritize interests or ego alonei, macknowledge the connection between one another through their respective roles and strengthen the sense of mutual support and need by narrowing differences and emphasizing similarities as valuable assets.
Decentralization of power must be distributed evenly, and work synergistically in a transparent and coordinated manner in accordance with the principles Good Government. Kinterests center and area no trapped in the ideology of glorifying localism understand regional excessive without paying attention to the principles of nationalism, meritocracy and social justice. Likewise individual interests and deny can be bridged if the role organizations community self-help as strength social freedom is given so that they able to provide input constructive towards decisions pgovernment. Especially related to community-based development programs. Spaces for expression and creativity must also be opened as wide as possible for the growth of creativity.eativity productive society in various perspectives.
Tolerant and bnoble morals in bgod not just a jargon but must be implemented seriously in all aspects of society.Macknowledge the existence of God and place God's law as the foundation that regulates social life community is very important in order to create public religious, doh my, and adil in kbalance between social rights and obligations.
Msociety bhigh civilization, always marked with love of science and technologywithdiligently developing superior research and utilise result scientific progress and technology wisely and judiciously for interest mankind. Funding and financial resources must be adequately available to support the priority programs in question.
Without these prerequisites, civil society will only stop at meaningless sloganCivil society will fall into a narrow "civilist" society, which is no different from the anti-democratic ideology of militarism and often violates human rights. In other words, the guidelines it is necessary be watched out for in the process of realizing a civil society (DuBois and Milley, 1992).
A true civil society has an inclusive attitude and has the ability (Ability) adapt to the surrounding environment. However, with still exist to maintain true identityA well-established civil society will easily adapt to changes and challenges and be better able to survive in the harsh climate of cultural diversity, the complexity of economic issues faced, and the threat of security disturbances from any potential perspective. These are some thoughts on the role of civil society in facing the ASEAN community, which is full of hope and challenges.
*) ASEAN Community Dissemination Maximizes Indonesia's Readiness in the Political and Security Pillars. Organized by the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs. Ambon, October 20, 2016
**) Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Universitas Pattimura
