VIENTIANE — While South-east Asia has been dealing with terrorism for some years, the emergence of three new trends means there is a greater need for the Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean) to work more closely to tackle the issue, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Addressing regional leaders at an Asean retreat on Wednesday (Sept 7), Mr Lee outlined the worrying trends of a rise in cases of self-radicalisation, growing links between terrorist groups and a spike in the number of attacks.

Noting that self-radicalisation is becoming a more severe problem, Mr Lee cited the truck rampage in Nice in July, as well as the nightclub shooting in Orlando in June as recent examples.

“These are single individuals, self-radicalised, acting alone, difficult to stop,” he said during the informal closed-door session where leaders discuss regional and international issues, adding that there is a steady trickle of one or two self-radicalised individuals detected by the Singaporean authorities every month.

He noted that the frequency of the attacks has increased. “It used to be a significant attack every few months, now we hear of attacks every few weeks, sometimes every few days in different parts of the world — and you have the Jakarta bombings and shootings in January, the attack in Puchong, Selangor in June and then most recently the bombing in Davao (last week).”

Terrorist organisations that have been present in South-east Asia for the past decade, such as Jemaah Islamiyah and Abu Sayyaf, have also linked up with Islamic State (IS), as well as with Uighurs from China, he noted. “We have to work more closely together, share intelligence, share our analysis of threats, counter extremist doctrines and exchange views, and take concerted actions against terrorist groups.” 

Some 1,000 Malaysians and Indonesians are fighting alongside IS in the Middle East — a number large enough for the group to form a Bahasa-speaking battalion called Katibah Nusantara. 

Last month, Indonesia uncovered a plot by a group of terrorists based in Batam planning a rocket attack on Singapore’s Marina Bay.

Besides terrorism, said Mr Lee, Asean also faces challenges in maintaining its unity and credibility as well as in growth and trade. “Trade and economic integration is the way for us to continue growing,” he said.

He added that it is important for all 10 Asean member states to implement the grouping’s economic work plan for 2025 and intensify efforts to conclude the negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which also involves Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand. 

“The (RCEP) negotiations have not progressed as quickly as we had hoped but I encourage all members to pursue this matter, not just with each other, but to persuade our domestic stakeholders of the potential benefits of the agreement while addressing their concerns,” said Mr Lee. 

“Rather than setting a low bar, we should be flexible and pragmatic to secure a good-quality agreement expeditiously, so that we can expand opportunities for our businesses.” RCEP negotiators aim to conclude discussions by December.

Turning to the issue of territorial disputes in the South China Sea, Mr Lee noted that it “has become a barometer of Asean’s unity and credibility”.

While it is understandable for Asean members to have different positions on the issue, the grouping needs to stand united on several principles, including commitment to the maintenance of peace and stability, freedom of navigation, and resolving disputes peacefully in accordance with international law. Maintaining Asean’s collective voice on regional issues is important in keeping the major powers, including the United States and China, engaged in South-east Asia and constructively working with Asean, added Mr Lee. 

“We need to speak with one voice so that we can carry greater weight in world affairs,” he said.