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As Malaysia takes the chair of ASEAN for 2025, the question is: will Malaysia lay the foundations for a more united, robust, and impactful regional bloc or stand idly by to watch ASEAN slouch towards geopolitical insignificance or worse, take it down the road to greater divisiveness?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s recent addresses at the World Economic Forum is anything to go by, on top of his speeches and remarks made since the formal handing over in Vientiane last October, the prospects are bright for a positive trajectory as they present a robust roadmap to navigate today\u2019s geopolitical and economic uncertainties. The core of this vision is rooted in ASEAN\u2019s history and track record as a resilient, inclusive and dynamic force for regional progress. The real question then should be: Is Malaysia poised to take this to the next level?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Guided by the theme Inclusivity and Sustainability, Malaysia\u2019s ASEAN Chairmanship embraces the principle that economic growth must be people-centric and environmentally conscious. As Anwar articulated in Davos, this approach seeks to blend economic pragmatism with human-centred values, ensuring that growth benefits all and not merely a privileged few.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By enhancing connectivity through improved infrastructure, harmonising regulations and simplifying customs procedures, Malaysia aims to unlock ASEAN\u2019s vast untapped potential for intra-regional trade, which represents but a fraction of the bloc\u2019s overall economic activity. Critically alongside this will be measures supporting SMEs, fostering innovation and building resilient supply chains to further bolster ASEAN\u2019s economic fabric and elevate its role in the global economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Strengthening ASEAN Centrality and Regional Unity<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an era of intensifying great power rivalries, ASEAN\u2019s centrality and cohesion is being subjected to increasingly centrifugal forces. Malaysia\u2019s leadership will focus on constructive engagement with global powers while safeguarding ASEAN\u2019s independence and promoting stability. The forthcoming ASEAN-GCC-China Summit in Kuala Lumpur show-cases this commitment, lending a platform for deeper economic, technological and cultural cooperation across regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Malaysia\u2019s approach to regional stability is guided by a vibrant and adaptive strategy, based on international rules and norms, cooperation and inclusivity. The roles of key ASEAN mechanisms like the East Asia Summit and the Plus Three dialogues, will be crucial in emphasising this approach, alongside likeminded dialogue partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While littoral disputes in the South China Sea could be viewed as potential conflicts of high priority, yet they should neither be blown out of proportion, nor conflated as an \u2018ASEAN versus China\u2019 problem. The fact is ASEAN member states also need to resolve their intra-regional littoral and border issues as well, sooner rather than later, but meantime, life \u2013 regional cooperation \u2013 must go on in the interest of centrality and cohesiveness. In any event, adherence to international law, including UNCLOS 1982, is paramount as Malaysia pushes the envelope for peaceful and constructive resolutions. Allowing the discord to be hijacked by major power rivalry, or kowtowing to a \u201cmight makes right\u201d approach will have repercussions far beyond Southeast Asia. Recognising the complex and overlapping claims among these nations, Malaysia will continue to keep her eye on the ball on fostering constructive dialogues and preventing miscalculations that could escalate tensions. We could do well to remember that it only takes a spark to ignite a wildfire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This commitment to stability and collaboration fits in snugly with Malaysia\u2019s broader vision for the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, a roadmap for regional prosperity and resilience over the next two decades. By championing a progressive and outward-looking ASEAN, Malaysia aims to position the bloc as a consequential contributor to shaping political, security and economic frameworks in an increasingly interconnected and dynamic world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key to this vision is ASEAN\u2019s youthful population, with over 60% under the age of 35. By 2030, ASEAN is expected to become the world\u2019s fourth-largest economy, driven by urbanisation, industrialisation, technological advancements, and above all, the agility and vitality of young blood. Harnessing this demographic dividend, Malaysia will champion policies that invest in human capital, reduce poverty and ensure equitable access to quality healthcare and education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being integral to the bloc\u2019s cohesion and progress, Malaysia\u2019s leadership naturally seeks to make ASEAN whole by supporting Timor-Leste\u2019s accession. Similarly, addressing the crisis in Myanmar remains a priority, with Malaysia committed to persuading the junta to implement the Five-Point Consensus. It doesn\u2019t stop there, of course, for as a precursor to eventual political reconciliation, fostering a more inclusive dialogue process will be crucial as is the urgency to alleviate the immediate humanitarian challenges. At the same time, Malaysian officials must work hard to persuade their colleagues in ASEAN that the regional association needs a more structured and strategic long-term approach to Myanmar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Just and Sustainable Energy Transition<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Malaysia recognises the dual challenges of ensuring energy security and addressing climate change. Through initiatives such as the ASEAN Power Grid and the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation 2025, Malaysia aims to accelerate renewable energy integration and build a resilient energy infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, as Prime Minister Anwar emphasised in Davos, energy transition must be equitable. For ASEAN, a region with significant reliance on oil and gas, the shift to renewable energy must balance environmental goals with the socio-economic realities of developing nations. Malaysia will continue to seek global support for climate financing, green investments and technology transfer to achieve this fair and just transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Harnessing Digital Transformation for ASEAN\u2019s Future<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a rapidly changing global landscape, digital transformation is no longer optional. Malaysia\u2019s ASEAN Chairmanship prioritises emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and big data analytics to drive innovation and economic stability. Initiatives such as the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) aim to position ASEAN as a competitive and integrated digital bloc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Malaysia also plans to establish an ASEAN AI Safety Network, showcasing leadership in ensuring the responsible development of artificial intelligence. By bridging the digital divide and enhancing digital infrastructure, Malaysia seeks to create a digitally inclusive society that fosters growth and innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As Malaysia takes the helm of ASEAN in 2025, its leadership is guided by a vision of shared prosperity and inclusivity. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim\u2019s message is clear: ASEAN must rise to the occasion, leveraging its demographic advantages, fostering innovation and championing sustainable growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The expectations are great. But to use Anwar\u2019s pet phrase, with \u201cthe courage of conviction and tenacity of purpose\u201d in staying on track on fortifying regional integration, forging ahead with digital transformation and overcoming pressing humanitarian challenges, Malaysia\u2019s chairmanship promises to lay the foundations for a stronger, more united ASEAN. In a co-dependent world fraught with uncertainty, ASEAN\u2019s ability to act collectively and pragmatically will define its role as a stabilising force and a beacon of progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is ASEAN\u2019s moment to shine, and Malaysia is ready to lead the way<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By Datuk Prof Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah 27\/1\/2025<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As Malaysia takes the chair of ASEAN for 2025, the question is: will Malaysia lay the foundations for a more united, robust, and impactful regional bloc or stand idly by to watch ASEAN slouch towards geopolitical insignificance or worse, take it down the road to greater divisiveness? If Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s recent addresses at […]\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7235,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[102],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7234","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-suara-pembaca"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/x-press.my\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7234","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/x-press.my\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/x-press.my\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/x-press.my\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/x-press.my\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7234"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/x-press.my\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7234\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7236,"href":"https:\/\/x-press.my\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7234\/revisions\/7236"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/x-press.my\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/7235"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/x-press.my\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7234"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/x-press.my\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7234"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/x-press.my\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7234"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Chairman, Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n