00:00ASEAN member states are split into three distinct camps over the escalating West Asia conflict
00:06involving the US, Israel and Iran, leaving the bloc unable to mount a collective response,
00:12says an analyst. International Islamic University Malaysia's Far Kimbang said
00:18countries in the Indochina region, including Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam,
00:24do not fully understand the conflict rooted in politics and religion.
00:28He said Muslim-majority countries such as Malaysia,
00:32Indonesia and Brunei are under pressure from both sides of the Gulf.
00:37They have been deeply aghast at the war, yet whenever they side with Iran,
00:41they find themselves at odds with the six Gulf states.
00:44The members of the Gulf Cooperation Council whose city and energy facilities have also come under attack.
00:51Singapore had instead focused on the principles of freedom of navigation
00:55and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea particularly amid concerns over disruptions
01:00to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
01:03With the conflict likely to persist, Dr. Julia Rognifard of Taylor's University said ASEAN countries
01:10should prioritize diversifying their energy sources, citing Russia as one option, rather than relying solely on diplomatic efforts.
01:19It would be wiser for ASEAN, including Malaysia, to diversify its energy sources.
01:26Russia is the option, while China, with its massive refining capacity, is already a major player in the energy expert
01:33market.
01:34This is simply about pragmatism and energy security, not politics.
01:38A diversified supply chain is the only realistic path forward.
01:44Panyojo, Cebu, Philippines, FMT
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