The legal formula was designed to reduce the risks that businesses, especially small and medium, may face while practicing cross-border trade.
Denpasar, Bali (ANTARA News) -The ministers of law and justice of the 10 ASEAN member countries have established a legal basis to anticipate disputes in view of the likely increase in economic transactions and interaction within Southeast Asia.

"To realize a solid ASEAN community, all ASEAN countries should support and help each other," Indonesian Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Yasonna H Laoly, said here on Tuesday. According to him, the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) will open the door wider for more interaction and business transactions.

However, the ASEAN market participants will have to work based on a legal system applied by each country, which some people believe will hamper economic activity in the region.

The legal formula was designed to reduce the risks that businesses, especially small and medium, may face while practicing cross-border trade.

In addition to enhance economic activities, the community mobilization in the region will also increase. As an illustration, between 1990 and 2013, figures for the migrating population increased from 1.5 million to 6.5 million people, with migration happening amongst Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

One consequence of such regional integration has also been an increase in crime, the minister said.

"Therefore, it becomes our primary task to be able to put in place an appropriate legal instrument to prevent and manage every challenge arising from criminal acts," Laoly said.

Following up on the establishment of the legal formula, the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting (ASLOM) will convene in Nusa Dua, Bali, and will be followed up by the ASEAN Law Ministers Meeting (ALAWMM) on October 22, 2015.

In ASLOM 2015, delegates from all ASEAN countries will be participating. It is a meeting between high level legal officials from the Ministry of Law and Justice and the Attorney General.

ASLOM is held every 18 months, and Indonesia will have the honor to host the 16th ASLOM this year.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2015