The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) should spend less time on administration and more on producing action in solving urgent current problems such as the A (H1N1) pandemic, drug trafficking and the economic crisis.

His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade reiterated this yesterday during the Meetings of the 2nd Asean Political Security Community Council (APSC) and the 4th Asean Coordinating Council in Phuket, Thailand.

Also attending the meeting was Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah in his statement endorsed the Rules of Procedure of the APSC and at the same time noted that the people are currently very worried with respect to the current global situations.

HRH said people do not want to hear about "planning", "coordinating" and "enhancing" and so on.

"They have got major problems right now, the flu virus, drug trafficking, unemployment and even terrorism coming back," HRH Prince Mohamed pointed out.

"They want to know what Asean can do for them right now and I am sure our leaders want to hear that, too," said HRH.

HRH added that something is needed to put a bit of confidence back into the people and hopefully it will be given by the time of the Summit.

During the meeting, ministers received briefings on recent developments, accessed current cooperation and exchanged views about the future of Asean.

The ministers also adopted the Rules of Procedures of the ASPC and endorsed the Rules of Procedure of the Committee of Permanent Representatives and the Revised Terms of Reference of the Initiative for Asean Integration. - Borneo Bulletin (22nd July 2009)