The United States is in the middle of a divisive election in which both candidates have campaigned on a platform that spells a shrinking global footprint for the superpower.

It is not the only major country in the process of losing its appetite for free trade and flirting with the idea of turning insular.

This rising tide of isolationism fuelled by domestic pressures manifested itself dramatically in June with Brexit – Britons voting to leave the European Union.

Closer to home, a rising China appears to be increasingly flexing its muscles. Most recently, it has taken to pressuring smaller countries behind the scenes to adopt its stance on its territorial claims in the South China Sea.

Worse, this may completely cripple Asean if China is able to sway one or more member countries to take its side, causing the grouping to fail to come to a consensus on issues.

… Ambassador Ong Keng Yong, executive deputy chairman of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, says: “We take the world as it is and have no illusion about international politics.”

… Mr Ong, who was Asean secretary-general from 2003 to 2008, notes that Singapore has worked with other Asean states to position the grouping as a neutral regional body engaging all major powers interested in South-east Asia.