Asean must unite in 'extended campaign' against Zika: PM Lee

Vientiane

SINGAPORE'S Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, in foreseeing an "extended campaign" against the Zika virus in the Asean region, has urged the 10-member regional bloc to unite against the virus so that regional trade will not be disrupted.

Singapore will work with Asean countries to fight the spread of the virus, he told Asean leaders in his speech at the plenary session of the 28th Asean Summit on Tuesday.

In an address on the importance of unity in the grouping, he said: "We should prepare ourselves for a possibly extended campaign against Zika, but ensure that the region remains open and connected for business and trade."

He added: "Singapore will work with its Asean partners, as well as the international community, to combat the disease."

His comments come as Singapore reported 17 new cases, bringing its total number to 275 as of Tuesday; it has been a little over a week since the first locally-transmitted case was reported in the city-state.

Chief of the Monetary Authority of Singapore Ravi Menon, speaking at a Foreign Correspondents Association event, said the early indications are that Zika could create "some small impact, but not likely to be significant for overall economic outcome".

Elsewhere in the Asean region, the Zika virus has also been transmitted locally - such as in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, said the World Health Organisation (WHO); Malaysia has also announced confirmed cases.

Mr Lee, in his address in Vientiane, outlined three issues Asean should work on, among them trans-boundary challenges like the Zika virus and the haze.

Noting that the virus is spread by the Aedes mosquito, he said the virus could be endemic in South-east Asia, just like dengue fever. Asean must therefore work together to combat the virus.

Turning to the matter of the haze, he noted that Asean has taken steps to address the issue, but that the sense of urgency in taking errant companies to task should not be lost.

Asean member states have all ratified the Asean Agreement on Trans-boundary Haze Pollution, and environment ministers have drafted up plans to rid Asean of the problem by 2020. Mr Lee said the Asean Haze Monitoring System adopted in 2013, as well as the Asean Coordinating Centre for Trans-boundary Haze Pollution Control should be put into operation.

This will send a strong signal to the errant companies that have been causing the haze pollution, he said.

Another issue he brought up was the need to remain focused while Asean's processes are reviewed. This comes as the Philippines, which will take over chairmanship of Asean after Laos, proposed a review of the Asean Charter.

Mr Lee said: "It is a good idea, but we should go about it in a very careful way, because the Asean Charter is a legal treaty."

Streamlining Asean meetings could be something to consider, he added, noting that the 28th and 29th Asean summits were now being held back to back this week in Vientiane.

Lastly, Mr Lee stressed the importance of Asean unity. In acknowledging the diversity across Asean countries, he said that having a united voice will give the grouping stronger bargaining power on the international stage.

"We must not let differences divide us. If we are divided, we will lose our relevance and value to our partners."