20th Anniversary of ASEAN

Commemorative Issue of Postage Stamps 20th Anniversary of ASEAN

Date of Issue: 1987-12-14
Denominations: 20 cents, $1.00
Stamp Size: 28 mm x 38 mm
Paper: SPM watermarked phosphor coated
Printing Process: Lithography
Printer: Security Printers (M) Sdn. Bhd., Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Sheet Composition: 100 stamps
Designer: Peter Khang Howe Ket

Stamps in the Series:

First Day Cover:


ASEAN, the Association of South East Asian Nations, is an economic and social organization comprising Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. The Association was formed on August 8, 1967 after the signing of the Bangkok Declaration by the Foreign Ministers of Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei Darussalam became the sixth member in January, 1984 upon attaining her independence.

ASEAN is situated in a geo-strategic area straddling the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It has an area of 3,068,238 square kilometers with a total population of about 300 million people of various ethnic groups with different backgrounds, history and culture.

ASEAN is committed to the philosophy of regional cooperation to promote peace and stability as well as to accelerate the economic growth and socio cultural development of the region. To achieve these objectives, ASEAN has established several economic and non-economic committees and pooled its resources and efforts to promote common interests in various fields such as economic, social, cultural, technical, scientific and in the field of administration by providing suitable programs, which include the setting up of research and training facilities.

In the last twenty years, ASEAN has chalked up a number of impressive achievements which have made it one of the fastest growth regions in the world. ASEAN has been accepted and respected by the international community and is recognized as a dynamic and viable regional organization. At international forums, ASEAN has continuously advocated for fair agricultural and commodity prices, market access and lower interest rates for development loans for the benefit of all developing countries.

ASEAN has also established and strengthened its dialogue relations with AUSTRALIA, Canada, the European Economic Community (EEC), Japan, New Zealand, and the United States. From this cooperation ASEAN has been able to focus and discuss on issues of economic importance like commodities, finance, investments, transfer or technology, trade, etc. In Malaysia, a number of ASEAN regional projects have been established as a result of this ongoing cooperation with the Dialogue Partners. They include the ASEAN Food Handling Bureau, ASEAN-PLANTI, ASEAN Timber Technology Center, ASEAN Institute of Forest Management, and Center for Instructor and Advanced Skill Training (CIAST).

Politically, ASEAN is instrumental in bringing about peace and stability to the region. It has advocated, through the Kuala Lumpur Declaration, the setting up of the Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality (ZOPFAN) in 1971. ASEAN member countries have also signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia in 1976 to enhance further peace and stability in the region. In this context, ASEAN has been in the forefront to seek a political solution to the Kampuchean problem. Its efforts have gained the widest possible support of the international community at the United Nations.

ASEAN has also been very successful in its fight against the scourge of drug abuse. As a result of its unstinting efforts, the International Conference on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking under the auspices of the United Nations, was held in Vienna in June 1987, in which the Rt. Honorable Dato’ Seri Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamed, Prime Minister of Malaysia, was unanimously elected President. The Conference adopted the Comprehensive Multi-disciplinary Outline of Future Activities (CMO).

Since its establishment in 1967 ASEAN countries have held two Summits, the first in 1976 in Bali, Indonesia and the second in 1977 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The third ASEAN Summit is scheduled to be held in Manila on 14-15 December 1987. At the beginning of ASEAN’s third decade, the Heads of Government of member countries will be meeting to review and deliberate on important issues relating to intra-ASEAN cooperation and ASEAN’s relations with Third Countries. They will reaffirm the philosophy that is ASEAN and provide the political will, guidance and fresh impetus to steer ASEAN to greater heights and achievements in all areas of activities and cooperation.