JAKARTA: Singapore became the first ASEAN member on Monday to formally complete its ratification of the political and economic group's new landmark charter, aimed at transforming the bloc.

Singapore handed over its "instrument of ratification" to former Thai foreign minister Surin Pitsuwan, who accepted it in his first official act as secretary-general at the ASEAN secretariat in the Indonesian capital.

Surin assumed the top post at the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, taking over from Singapore's Ong Keng Yong, during the same ceremony.

"The charter is a crucial milestone in ASEAN's history," Singapore's Foreign Minister George Yeo said in a letter to Surin, referring to the pact signed by members in November last year.

"It is crucial that we maintain the momentum in taking ASEAN into its next phase of development," he added.

The charter aims to commit the region's disparate nations to promote human rights and democratic ideals and sets out the principles and rules for members.

It also transforms ASEAN, 40 years after its creation, into a legal entity, which will give the group greater clout in international negotiations.

The charter was the result of a long, controversial drafting process that saw some of the strong recommendations from ASEAN elder statesmen watered down or dropped, including provisions on member sanctions and expulsion.

However, the charter commits ASEAN members "to strengthen democracy, enhance good governance and the rule of law, and to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms".

It also requires members to keep the region free of nuclear weapons, ease poverty, protect the environment and work towards an integrated market that allows for free flow of goods, services, investments and professionals.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.


- AFP/so