ASEAN's behaviour during the COVID-19 outbreak shows that during crisis conditions, ASEAN

remains committed to cooperation. ASEAN is the first regional institution to maintain a climate of
collaboration amid the tendency of countries that prioritize self-help mechanisms. In the early phase
of the spread of COVID-19, Singapore was classified as a country that emphasized strict prevention
efforts. Socialization is carried out to the public through various media, including the official website
of government institutions. Efforts to prevent the spread of the outbreak are carried out by
conducting "travel restrictions" for visitors from China and visitors who have a record of visiting China
(Widian, 2020)1 COVID-19 as an outbreak has caused great losses. However, apart from that, it is also
a driver to roll out the efforts of ASEAN Centrality in dealing with problems faced in the region. (the
jakarta post, 2020 )2

The establishment of the ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund under the chairmanship of Vietnam is in
line with the mandate contained in the ASEAN Charter (2007) in article 32 point C "Member States
holding the chairmanship of ASEAN shall: ensure an effective and timely response to urgent issues or
crisis situations affecting ASEAN, including providing good services and other arrangements to
resolve such issues promptly 3 (Piagam Asean, 2007) The funds raised for the ASEAN COVID-19
Response Fund came from reallocation of existing funds, technical support and financial assistance
from partner countries, especially those involved in the Asean Plus One and Asean Plus Three
schemes (Omega, 2020)

The initiative agreed on April 14, 2020 through the Special Summit on Coronavirus Disease 2019 via
video conference demonstrates the commitment of member states not to impose unnecessary
restrictions on the flow of goods, especially strategic goods to combat COVID-19 such as medicines,
food, and essential supplies. Continuing the regional level policy measures, encourage the use of the
ASEAN Coordinating Center for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Center) as a
means of monitoring the development of the pandemic in the region and effectively channeling all
donations and resources in addition to assisting member countries with crisis management 4 (the
jakarta post, 2020 ) Not limited to the establishment of the ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund,
initiatives at the regional level continue to be carried out by the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and
Forestry (AMAF). AMAF issued a joint statement on April 15, 2020 reaffirming its commitment to
ensuring food security and nutrition in the region during the outbreak. AMAF is committed to
minimizing disruptions in regional food supply chains by working closely together to ensure that
markets remain open and transportation of agricultural and food products is facilitated by
emphasizing the importance of reducing excessive price volatility, especially price spikes, ensuring
adequate food and emergency reserves and providing timely and accurate market information 5
(ASEAN Secretariat)

Singapore is seeking to initiate a discourse on new protocols that allow cross-border movement of
people within the ASEAN region, once the COVID-19 pandemic reaches manageable levels 6 (the
jakarta post, 2020 )

Furthermore, Singapore's efforts to demonstrate commitment to handling COVID-19 in the region

are not only carried out through country participation in meetings, commitment and approval of
policy outputs at the regional level or proposals for the establishment of general procedures for

1
(Widian, 2020)
2
(Piagam Asean, 2007)
3
(Piagam Asean, 2007)
4
(the jakarta post, 2020 )
5
(ASEAN Secretariat)
6
(the jakarta post, 2020 )
interstate travel to reopen. Singapore showed solidarity with ASEAN member states at the bilateral
level. Based on a press release accessed through the MOFA website, Singapore actively provides
assistance to other ASEAN member countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Myanmar, and
Brunei Darussalam. The assistance provided by Singapore is in the form of diagnostic test kits,
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machines, Viral Transport Medium, Thermal Scanners, and Personal
Protective Equipment.8 Singapore's commitment in collaborating with ASEAN member states is not
limited to providing assistance. Singapore and Malaysia showed a positive commitment by
establishing a Special Working Committee on COVID-19. The Working Committee is chaired by Senior
and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean, and Senior Malaysian Minister and
Defence Minister Dato Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Johor Chief Minister Datuk Hasni. The cooperation
between the two countries aims to coordinate joint mitigation plans to ensure the safe and
sustainable movement of people, goods and services between Malaysia and Singapore 7 (MOFA
Singapore, 2020)

CONCLUSION

The COVID-19 flare-up has suggestions for changes within the design of relations that exist within the
worldwide framework. The existing relationship design focuses to two conceivable outcomes,
collaboration through participation or applying prohibitive boundaries through assurance. Through
this paper, the creator sees the relationship between Singapore and ASEAN towards the primary
design, to be specific the accentuation on collaboration through participation within the locale. This
conclusion is based on different territorial activities that are in understanding with the order of the
ASEAN Constitution in arrange to relieve issues caused by the COVID-19 flare-up as well as solidarity
activities carried out by Singapore by sending help to neighboring nations such as Indonesia, the
Philippines, Brunei and Myanmar.

7
(MOFA Singapore, 2020)