LETTER | While the world is closely observing the unfolding of Malaysia Baru after the recent general election and admiring the democratic processes - however flawed it may have been - that took place, a young and curious boy from a small town in Pontian, a town south of Malaysia with heavy reliance on agricultural and fishing industry to make ends meet, is plotting a scheme in his mind to climb the economic ladder and take on an adventure to see the world.

A light bulb lit radiantly in his head as he was queuing up in a local bank to open a new bank account, a bank which operates in all Asean countries and so he painted a vivid picture with his imagination where he is working in the Philippines - as a cook, promoting Malaysian dishes in a country already blessed with an abundance of local cuisines. Alas, “Angan-angan Mat Jenin”, he tells himself.

Like food and people, one thing both countries have in common is their diasporas around the globe. A world without borders, as the ode sounded when the turn of the century ushered in the World Wide Web.

Asean, too, can potentially become borderless.

Malaysia demonstrated her maturity and her commitment towards democracy by peacefully voting out a government which had been in power for more than half a century and besmirched with rampant corruption and undermining of democratic rights.

Never again, Malaysian responded through the ballot box.

Among the many areas where deliberation and clear stratagems are necessary to set in motion the agenda for reform and progress, Asean is, in particular, a rather alluring direction.

Imagine - freedom of movement, free trade between member countries, higher bargaining power in international negotiations, citizens and labour protected by the law and enjoy economic prosperity.

It’ll be a union of epic proportions where languages, cultures, economics and politics come together in this super bowl of diversity, monumentally standing out in the historical timeline of our civilisation for aeons.

The discourse for a more integrated Asean is not alien. A while back the ambitious AEC gathered all leaders of Asean to discuss economic integration. With the values of ASEAN at the core of discussion, countries should raise the bar and fully externalise the vision “One vision, one identity, one community”.

Dreams, Asean countries have in common. Nightmares too - overfishing threatening food security, open burning jeopardising quality of health, natural disasters and rising sea water levels menacing infrastructures, genocide ruining democracy and creating unprecedented refugee crises in the region, disputes in the South China Sea harming sovereignties. A plethora of woes and throes which needs addressing.

It is about time Asean confronts these issues. With the beacon of democracy in South East Asia, Malaysia, and the camaraderie and political will from member states, it is no longer a mere political gimmick but with a renewed determination, borderless possibilities are achievable.

Recently, a lot of talk in the grapevine had a go at Malaysia creating a national identity with a lot of emphasis on national language and national schools. However - rightly or wrongly - it is the common and shared values like freedom, solidarity, mutual respect and rule of law that moulds and glues a nation together, or a region, in this case.

A single language and schooling system may be convenient but that’s just taking the fun out of Malaysia. What else will Malaysian bicker (bawang) about on a slow news day?

Asean must inherently embody the mantra "building bridges" instead of burning them – free movement of labour reduces unemployment and encourages transfer of skills within the region. This for businesses to flourish in rural parts of Asean, bringing development and raising the quality of life.

It will be a mountainous journey but not impossible for Asean after all - borrowing the words of the late Lee Kuan Yew - is connected by geography, economics and ties of kinship. Every person, every language, culture, religion, species and community will have a place in Asean.

A new era, a breath of fresh democracy and lush inclusivity.

I remember at the age of 21 and the kind of extreme optimism that I once embraced. I wrote in an article after a trip to Indonesia that I hope the next time I travel around South East Asia, I won’t be needing a passport. I still do hope.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.