ASEAN’s 21st century call-to-action should be the pursuit of higher development standards and their normalisation across rural and urban areas – on issues like personal security, health, education, housing, and basic services. A robustly financed commitment to these issues can advance the cause of inclusive growth and social progress. ASEAN must not forfeit the latent potential of its citizens by ignoring inequality.
“Inequality looms beneath the shiny facade of Southeast Asia’s growth.” Channel NewsAsia, 23 Apr 2017.