AUTHOR
Dr. Un Kheang, an Associate Professor of Political Science at Northern Illinois University and Member of the Board of Directors at Cambodia Development Center.
ABOUT Commentary
In a webinar organized by ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute the former Singaporean top diplomat, Mr. Bilahari Kausikan, suggested that, if necessary, ASEAN may have to expel Cambodia and Laos from the regional association for their role as China’s proxies. Mr. Bilahari went on to claim that close connection between Laos, Cambodia and China has not only undermined ASEAN’s unity but could potentially bring Laos and Cambodia to their darkest periods of the 1970s. There have been many reactions to assertions made by Mr. Bilahari during that webinar. It suffices to opine on two points: his ignorance of historical facts and precarious support for pessimist realism.
