CJC 2020 H2 P2 Prelims

1 CATHOLIC JUNIOR COLLEGE JC2 PRELIMINARY EXAMINATIONS 2020 H2 HISTORY 9752/02 Paper 2: Making of Independent Southeast Asia (Independence–2000) 15 SEPT 2020 No Additional Materials are required. 3 hours READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST Write your name and home tutorial group on all the work you hand in. Write in dark blue or black pen on both sides of the paper. Start each answer on a fresh sheet of paper. Section A Answer Question 1. Section B Answer two questions. SECTION A This document consists of 5 printed pages including the cover page

2 You must answer Question 1. ASEAN IN THE POST-COLD WAR WORLD 1. Read the sources and then answer the questions which follow. Source A ASEAN did focus on the haze problem but the mechanisms established moved slowly, although the haze crisis in 1997 mobilised ASEAN to meet three times in the year. Indeed, the haze has posed a challenge to every aspect of ASEAN’s character. Mutual solidarity on t he part of governments and a preference for indirect diplomacy have collapsed in the face of the seriousness of the problem. Action plans and ministerial meetings did not prove effective, with the Indonesian government incapable of policing its own regulations. Despite the Indonesian government’s uneasy relationship with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), in desperation, Singapore and Malaysia directly provided information and resources to NGOs and sought assistance from international organisations . This was done in hope that the former would change conditions on the ground and the latter would provide the impetus to move opinion in Jakarta. Extracts from an article by an Australian academic, 1999. Source B In the 1997 haze crisis, ASEAN proved to be a reliable confidence -building process as well as a flexible regional entity for purposeful cooperation. Without ASEAN, those countries badly affected by the haze smoke must have been up in arms against Indonesia already. It would be impossible for these neighbours to accept, let alone understand, why the recurring illegal forest burning in Kalimantan and Sumatra could not be stopped. The “ASEAN way” in addressing the haze crisis was to help Indonesia cope, rather than to blame it for this massive an d highly complex problem. A new ministerial meeting on the haze was institutionalized in November 1997 and a great deal of resources have been marshaled to implement ASEAN’s regional haze action plan. A comment by a staff member of the ASEAN Secretariat, June 1999.

3 Source C We, the Foreign Ministers of the member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations; hereby 1. Emphasise the necessity to resolve all sovereignty and jurisdictional issues pertaining to the South China Sea by peaceful means, without resort to force; 2. Urge all parties concerned to exercise restraint with the view to creating a positive climate for the eventual resolution of all disputes; 3. Resolve, without prejudicing the sovereignty and jurisdiction of countries having dir ect interests in the area, to explore the possibility of cooperation in the South China Sea; 4. Commend all parties concerned to apply the principles contained in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia as the basis for establishing a code of international conduct over the South China Sea; 5. Invite all parties concerned to subscribe to this Declaration of principles. Extracts from the 1992 ASEAN Declaration on the South China Sea, 22 July 1992. Source D A compilation of economic data drawn from various government ministries and published in a report by the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore, in 1999. [Turn Over

4 Source E One of the reasons for establishing the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) was to engage China. That was a wise decision. But the Spratly Islands issue is perhaps an example of where ASEAN is not in the driver’s seat of the ARF, as some ASEAN countries are in disp ute between themselves and with China over those coral reefs and sandbanks. Disputes between member countries put ASEAN as a disadvantage, as the Association is then not in a position to negotiate collectively with China. The Spratly Islands issue has als o detracted from ASEAN’s leadership in the ARF. ASEAN, which has always operated on a consensus basis, lacks the ability to speak with a unified voice on sensitive political issues. From an article by a Malaysian academic, 2003. Source F As a political gr ouping, ASEAN had prospered over the years because its members adhered closely to the spirit and codes in the conduct of our relations with each other. We have succeeded in establishing a peaceful environment in Southeast Asia and overcome decades of divisiveness and turmoil. We have also successfully undertaken various regional strategic initiatives, such as the convening of the ASEAN Regional Forum. We a re addressing transnational issues affecting our region. Our collective voice has given us a standing and role in international affairs. On the issue of peace and security in the South China Sea, we are and should continue to resolve this regional issue b y ourselves, either bilaterall y or with others in the region who are directly concerned. From a speech by the Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs at the 32nd ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in 1999. Now answer the following questions: (a) Compare and contrast the evidence provid ed in Sources A and B about the ASEAN members’ response towards the 1997 haze crisis. [10] (b) How far do Sources A -F show that ASEAN has been effective in meeting challe nges in the post-Cold War world? [30]

5 SECTION B You must answer two questions from this section. You must support your answers with examples drawn from at least three countries. EITHER 2. “The decolonisation process was critical to the establishment of democracies in Southeast Asia.” How far do you agree? [30] OR 3. How important was national ideology in forging unity in the independent Southeast Asian states? [30] AND EITHER 4. Evaluate whether state or non-state actors were more responsible for economic development in independent Southeast Asia. [30] OR 5. How effective were the Southeast Asian governments in responding to the Asian Financial Crisis? [30] **** End of paper ****