Among the many criticisms leveled against the Association Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, disunity is most alarming. From the South China Sea dispute to free trade, the 10-member bloc of ASEAN has been unable to offer a unified stance on the region's most pressing issues. 

This, however, is not the first time ASEAN has failed to act on the prevalent issues in the region. In 2006 and 2014, the bloc maintained a deafening silence as the Thai military staged a coup d’ etat and seized government power.

Has ASEAN been promoting the people-centred community - a concept they aspired to be 49 years ago - and is it able to stay united in the future? BFM explores.

This is a report by Wan Irdina. 

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Tags:  ASEAN,  ASEAN Summit,  South China Sea,  democracy,  ASEAN community