Asean should learn from the EU debacle

If Asean wishes to override the decision-making functions of its members, impoverish the poorer ones, throw open its borders to invaders from failed states, reward its bureaucrats and hamper the regional economy with a millstone of petty-fogging bureaucracy, then the dictatorial European Union model beckons.
I am sure the Philippines’ Rodrigo Duterte would jump at the chance to lead the justice committee when his presidency comes to an end, Aung San Suu Kyi would do a great job managing migration, and who better to handle LGBT affairs panel than a nominee from Brunei?
Cooperation on trade is one thing, but a regional parliament should never ever be allowed to overrule the legislatures of Asean’s independent member-states. That is the most salutary lesson from the fractious and dysfunctional basket case that the EU has become. Asean, be warned!
Nigel Pike