ASEAN Maritime Security Cooperation

The maritime environment has become a contested zone by many countries in the world. Despite being an arena for competition, it also provides space for cooperation. This article will show how maritime security concerns influence state decision to work jointly particularly in Southeast Asia Region that transform their focus from low-political issue to maritime security. The author argues that ASEAN maritime security cooperation is needed due to the significant change in political constellation that mainly related to maritime security both traditional and non-traditional threats. Problems such as maritime terrorism, armed robbery, piracy, and illegal trade activities grow rapidly and affect the international shipping security such as Malacca, Singapore and Lombok Strait. Based on the data analysis, ASEAN should establish a comprehensive model of cooperation on combatting various non-traditional crimes in its Region. Leadership and trust are essential to establish stronger maritime security cooperation related to the security of sea routes in the Southeast Asian Region.