Eurovision coming to South East Asia

South East Asia may have its own version of Eurovision, the popular singing contest in Europe. Malaysian Foreign Minister hopes that his proposal can build regional unity among the ASEAN people. From Reuters:

In a region where late-night karaoke knows no shame, and national leaders sometimes sing on request, the idea for a song contest caught fire at a meeting of foreign ministers this week.

Malaysia, chair of the Association of South East Nations (ASEAN), suggested styling it on the "Idol" TV series, with contestants voted off until only the winner was left singing.

It could help bring the region's masses of young people into the ASEAN swing of things, Malaysian Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar was quoted as saying in a local newspaper on Tuesday.

"This will also make it easier for them to work together for ASEAN because they would from an early age be made to feel part of the association," he said.