The Asean Chairmanship: A Chance for Anwar Ibrahim to Revitalize the Region
PETALING JAYA: With Malaysia taking over as Asean chair in January 2025, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government will have a once-in-a-decade opportunity to tackle issues confronting the grouping and accelerate regional integration to benefit its 695 million people.
Challenges Ahead
While Malaysia’s leadership in moving the bloc forward will be in the spotlight, it is not a panacea to resolve all its problems and internal divisions, say analysts. The issues at the top of Malaysia’s agenda will be Myanmar and the South China Sea, according to Institute of Strategic and International Studies (Isis) Malaysia analysts Angeline Tan and Yanitha Meena.
Paving the Way for Progress
As a claimant state in the territorial dispute, Malaysia as chair will be expected to make progress in securing stability in the contested waters. Asean has sought unsuccessfully to deal with the aftermath of the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, which plunged the country into chaos. Anwar has proved vocal on matters of international importance, raising expectations about Malaysia’s convening power to address issues that are increasingly debilitating the grouping. However, Tan and Yanitha opined that it is "unlikely Malaysia can achieve much on this front."
Beyond Geopolitics
However, the essence of Asean is more than just geopolitics and rising competition among the great powers in the region. It also encompasses the region’s economy, trade, investment, and cultures, and this is where Malaysia may make some headway during its chairmanship.
Key Strategies
Anwar has outlined several key strategies for Asean when Malaysia assumes the role of chair in 2025. These include expanding trade and investment links, fostering digital transformation in the region, strengthening member countries’ fundamentals, reinventing, restructuring, and recalibrating their economies. Malaysia can play a key role in enhancing Asean economic integration with the goal of creating a stable, prosperous, and competitive economic region.
Reinvigorating the Asean Spirit
The Penang Institute recently published its policy recommendations that Malaysia, as chair, should consider in accelerating Asean integration dynamics. Its key recommendation is that Malaysia take the leading role in encouraging and enhancing regional trade and investment to create a more seamless and integrated economic environment. This can be achieved by ratifying and promoting the full utilisation of regional free trade agreements (FTAs) with key dialogue partners.
Expectations vs. Reality
However, Tan and Yanitha noted that there is too much emphasis being placed on the rotating chair. "These expectations must be tempered by the limitations of what can be realistically achieved in a single year." They argued that Malaysia’s real contribution could be in laying the groundwork for a more cohesive, forward-looking Asean with effective and resilient mechanisms to better navigate the turbulent years ahead.
Conclusion
As Malaysia takes the helm as Asean chair, the stage is set for Anwar Ibrahim to reinvigorate the Asean spirit and set the momentum for subsequent chairs. While it is unrealistic to expect Malaysia to resolve all its problems and internal divisions, it can make significant progress by fostering cooperation and dialogue among member states. By prioritizing regional economic integration, digital transformation, and cultural exchange, Malaysia can play a key role in shaping a more prosperous and competitive Asean.
FAQs
Q: What are the key challenges facing Asean?
A: Myanmar and the South China Sea are the top issues on Malaysia’s agenda.
Q: What is the role of Malaysia as Asean chair?
A: Malaysia can play a key role in enhancing Asean economic integration, fostering digital transformation, and strengthening member countries’ fundamentals.
Q: Can Malaysia resolve all its problems and internal divisions as Asean chair?
A: No, it is unrealistic to expect Malaysia to resolve all its problems and internal divisions as Asean chair.