In addition, Indonesian forest fires in 1997 and 1998
blanketed the region with haze pollution, casting a literal and symbolic pall over the countries. Some
feared that the region would lose a decade of progress
and ASEANs past successes in forging growth, stability, and peace seemed forgotten. The group came under heavy criticism for its inability to effectively address the economic
and environmental crises. Furthermore, questions over the wisdom of enlarging ASEAN to include Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar also arose.