Transformative Era for ASEAN
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for a transformative era for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as Malaysia prepares to assume the bloc’s chairmanship in 2025.
ASEAN’s Vision for 2025
In his opinion piece titled “ASEAN’s Second Renaissance Is Now” for Project Syndicate, Anwar outlined Malaysia’s vision to advance the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, focusing on fostering inclusivity, resilience, and sustainable growth across Southeast Asia. Malaysia’s chairmanship will prioritize shared progress, anchored by the theme of ASEAN 2025: Inclusivity and Sustainability. It seeks to combine economic pragmatism with human-centred values to ensure that no one is left behind.
Rules-Based Regional Order
The vision includes a pledge to create a rules-based regional order – one that not only safeguards prosperity but also enhances Southeast Asia’s stability while navigating tensions between great powers. Anwar emphasized the importance of Timor-Leste’s admission as a full ASEAN member, a move that completes the geographical Southeast Asia map and provides the nation with a platform for development and strategic autonomy.
Global Tensions and Challenges
As global tensions and challenges such as climate disruption and great-power competition intensify, Anwar said ASEAN must stand united or risk succumbing to divisive forces. The ambition is not merely to uphold stability but to shape a just regional order. This vision also includes a commitment to ending the turmoil in Myanmar, a test that ASEAN’s collective conscience must pass if it is to maintain its credibility.
ASEAN’s Developmental Approach
ASEAN’s developmental approach, according to Anwar, rejects unchecked capitalism and state-subsidised trade from external powers. Instead, it prioritizes human welfare through investments in education, healthcare, and poverty reduction.
Economic Partnerships
On the economic front, Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship will focus on deepening partnerships with ASEAN+ partners including China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, and New Zealand – as well as emerging global groupings such as BRICS+. These alliances will enhance foreign investment, market access, and infrastructure development, aligning with Malaysia’s New Industrial Master Plan 2030.
Digital Transformation
Digital transformation will be another cornerstone of ASEAN’s strategy for resilience. Technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and big-data analytics could enhance supply-chain transparency and bolster the region’s economic stability.
Conclusion
Reflecting on his 1996 book, The Asian Renaissance, Anwar expressed optimism for ASEAN’s next transformation. "The values of compassion, justice, and integrity must be woven into ASEAN’s future to achieve a second renaissance that benefits all," he wrote, adding that ASEAN’s rise should deliver peace, justice, and prosperity not only within the region but on the global stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Malaysia’s vision for ASEAN’s chairmanship in 2025?
A: Malaysia’s vision is to advance the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, focusing on fostering inclusivity, resilience, and sustainable growth across Southeast Asia.
Q: What is the theme of ASEAN 2025?
A: The theme is ASEAN 2025: Inclusivity and Sustainability.
Q: What is the importance of Timor-Leste’s admission as a full ASEAN member?
A: It completes the geographical Southeast Asia map and provides the nation with a platform for development and strategic autonomy.
Q: What is ASEAN’s developmental approach?
A: ASEAN’s developmental approach rejects unchecked capitalism and state-subsidised trade from external powers, prioritizing human welfare through investments in education, healthcare, and poverty reduction.
Q: What are the key economic partnerships for Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship?
A: The key partnerships include ASEAN+ partners, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as emerging global groupings such as BRICS+.