From the following which country is not a founder member of 'ASEAN'?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 4:
Myanmar

The correct option is 4: Myanmar. This is because Myanmar was not one of the original signatories of the ASEAN Declaration (also known as the Bangkok Declaration), which established the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on August 8, 1967. ASEAN was founded in Bangkok, Thailand, with the primary goals of accelerating economic growth, social progress, and cultural development in the region, while promoting regional peace and stability. The organization was born during the Cold War era and aimed to foster cooperation among non-Communist Southeast Asian states. Myanmar, due to its internal political situation and preference for isolationist policies for several decades, did not join the regional bloc until much later, after ASEAN had been well-established. Myanmar finally became a full member of ASEAN on July 23, 1997, along with Laos. Therefore, in the context of the organization’s founding, Myanmar is the country that was not a founder member.

The incorrect option is 1: Indonesia.
Indonesia is, in fact, a pivotal founder member of ASEAN. The establishment of ASEAN was largely driven by its five founding nations, and Indonesia, being the largest country in Southeast Asia, played a crucial role. Indonesia's representative, Adam Malik (then Minister of Foreign Affairs), was one of the five figures who signed the ASEAN Declaration in 1967. Its involvement ensured the regional body had a solid foundation based on the principle of consensus-building among neighboring states, transitioning from earlier, less successful attempts at regional cooperation.

The incorrect option is 2: Malaysia.
Malaysia is also recognized as an indispensable founder member of ASEAN. The Association’s creation was essential for improving regional stability, particularly following earlier tensions between Malaysia and Indonesia (the Konfrontasi). Tun Abdul Razak (then Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Minister of National Development of Malaysia) was the Malaysian signatory to the Bangkok Declaration. Malaysia's commitment to the goals of economic collaboration and peaceful coexistence was fundamental to the successful launch of the organization.

The incorrect option is 3: Singapore.
Singapore is correctly identified as a founder member of ASEAN. As a newly independent nation in 1967, Singapore saw the establishment of ASEAN as a vital framework for guaranteeing its economic viability and security within the volatile regional environment of the time. S. Rajaratnam (then Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore) was a key "Founding Father" who signed the declaration, cementing Singapore’s place among the original five nations. These five founding countries—Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines—collectively formed the basis of the entire ASEAN structure.