MI 2009 H2 HIST P2

Class Adm No Candidate Name: Preliminary Examination II 2009 Pre-university 3 HISTORY Higher 2 9731/2 Paper 2 History of Southeast Asia c1900-1997 Wednesday 23 September 2009 3 hours Additional materials: Answer paper INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES Write your name, admission number and class in the spaces at the top of this page and on any separate answer paper used. Write your answers on the writing paper provided. Write in dark blue or black pen on both sides of the paper. Do not use staples, paper clips, highlighters, glue or correction fluid. Answer FOUR questions. You must answer Question 1 (Section A) and any three questions from Section B. All questions in this paper carry equal marks. This question paper consists of 4 printed pages. [Turn over 1

SECTION A You must answer Question 1. The ‘ASEAN Way’ 1 Read the sources, and then answer the question. S o u r c e A The ASEAN Way is a realistically modest approach to dealing with intra-ASEAN relations. It recognizes what is possible to achieve between states. Through the practice of Musyawarah and Mufakat which provides advantages even to the poorer members, ASEAN does not allow disagreements in some areas to prevent cooperation in other. In these respects, it is a brilliant and productive approach to international relations; it is one of ASEAN’s genuine strengths. ‘Explaining ASEAN: Regionalism in Southeast Asia.’ by Shuan Narine, a historian, 2002. Source B A frequent criticism of the ARF is that the ASEAN Way was inappropriate for the heterogeneous ARF. Western socialized members of the forum are impatient with indirect discussions, the consensus principle and non-binding decisions lacking measures of verification and sanctions. They want a forum determined by strong legalization and quickly moving forward with preventive diplomacy and conflict resolution. An academic article on the relevance of the ASEAN Regional Forum for regional security in the Asia-Pacific, 2005 S o u r c e C Although much can be extolled about the attributes of ASEAN, there is one simple factor that merits more recognition, and that is ‘the ASEAN way’. This winning formula refers to the way ASEAN manages its affairs by practicing consensus, consultation, self-restraint, sensitivity, respect and many other positive ethnics inherent in ASEAN’s common eastern culture and traditions. This more than anything else has held ASEAN together and will continue to do so as long as we do not lose our sights or compromise our principles and traditions. This “ASEAN Way” is the vital ingredient for ASEAN cohesiveness, solidarity and independence. Speech by Mahathir Mohamad, ex-Prime Minister of Malayisa. 2

S o u r c e D After the Asian Financial Crisis, ASEAN me mbers can no longer afford to adopt a non-committal stance and avoid passing judgment on events in a member country, simply on the grounds of ‘non-interference.’ ASEAN’s respect for the sovereignty, of fellow members is one reason why the grouping has come this far and enjoyed such longevity. However, if domestic events in one mem ber’s territory impact adversely on another member’s internal affairs or even regional peace and prosperity, ASEAN members should play a more pro-active role. Consequently, it is obvious that ASEAN countries have an overriding interest in the internal affairs of its fellow members and may sometimes find it necessary to recommend certain actions on specific issues which may lead to direct or indirect consequences. Explicitly we need to make intra-ASEAN relations more dynamic, more engaged and more “constructive” than before. A speech by Dr Surin Pitsuwan, Thailand’s foreign minister at the Asia-Pacific roundtable in Kuala Lumpur, June 1998. S o u r c e E ASEAN has contributed much more to conflict avoidance among members than to conflict resolution. Indeed, many of the conflicts between ASEAN members that originally threatened its survival remained unresolved. The Philippines continues to dispute Malaysia’s sovereignty over Sabah; the Thai-Malaysian border remains a troubled one whether the immediate focus is on insurgency, smuggling, drug dealing or Thai Muslim disaffection. Especially in recent years, the aggressive pursuit of dwindling fish stocks and the declaration of Exclusive Economic Zones have added to the number and intensity of disputes over maritime sovereignty and borders. An academic article on the challenges for ASEAN, published in 1998. Now answer the following question. ‘The ASEAN Way helped bring about regional cooperation and security.’ Using Sources A-E, examine how far the evidence supports this view. 3

4 Section B You must answer three questions from this section. You must support each answer with examples drawn from at least three countries. 2. Why did nationalist movements in Sout heast Asia attract little support in the period 1900-41? 3. “Policies and actions of foreign power s were primarily responsible for the independence of Southeast Asian states.” Discuss the validity of this statement. 4. To what extent was economic growth in i ndependent Southeast Asian countries a product of state intervention? 5. “In Southeast Asia, the military was predominant in politics due to the weaknesses of the civilian governments.” Discuss 6. Evaluate the successes and failures of regional cooperation in Southeast Asia from 1960s to 1990s.