KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia, having taken over the Asean Chairmanship from Laos on Friday, is expected to continue empowering member states and strengthening economic growth in the region.
Malaysia, which will officially assume the role of Asean Chair from Jan 1, 2025, is set to play a more active role in international issues and will continue to strengthen regional peace, stability and prosperity.
Senior Lecturer from Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (Unisza), Dr Wan Rohila Ganti Wan Abdul Ghapar, expressed confidence that Malaysia would play a positive role as Asean Chair in 2025.
She emphasised that the Asean Chairmanship is not merely an ‘annual ritual’ where a new chair takes over after a year.
"I am very optimistic about Malaysia’s position (as Asean Chair) where we will have a stronger voice on regional and international issues, including the crises in Myanmar and Palestine.
"Furthermore, Malaysia, as a rising tiger and the new kid on the block, can drive post-Covid economic growth in the Asean region.
"Malaysia can extend assistance to less-developed Asean partners by offering knowledge transfer and financial aid,” she said during the ‘Ruang Bicara’ programme on Bernama TV, titled ‘Kepengerusian Asean 2025: Perkasa Negara Anggota’ (Asean Chairmanship 2025: Empowering Member States).
Wan Rohila participated as a virtual guest on the programme.
Laos officially handed over the Asean Chairmanship to Malaysia on Friday (Oct 11) during the Closing Ceremony of the 44th and 45th Asean Summits, along with related Summits and the Asean Chairmanship Handover Ceremony in Vientiane.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim accepted the Asean Chairmanship gavel from Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone at the event.
Anwar also unveiled the logo, as well as the theme for Asean-Malaysia Chairmanship 2025, ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’, during the ceremony.
Meanwhile, Wan Rohila noted that Asean is expected to be more vocal on human rights issues in Myanmar.
"I don’t think Anwar will remain silent on this matter... With regard to the Rohingya issue, I foresee better coordination in 2025.
"Additionally, Asean’s voice will be stronger in denouncing international injustices, particularly concerning Palestine and African nations.
"I see Asean is no longer confined to this region alone but has expanded beyond the Asean borders,” she remarked.
Meanwhile, geostrategist Dr Azmi Hassan said Asean is expected to participate more actively in international geopolitics.
As an example, he mentioned that, at present, Asean has been relatively ‘silent’ on issues such as Ukraine, Palestine, and Lebanon, viewing them as "not directly related”.
"I am certain that from next year onwards, Asean will become more active because Malaysia will be its chair,” he said.
Azmi added that Anwar is a leader who is bold in voicing his views on the international stage, including articulately presenting the issue of Palestine at the 2023 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) forum in San Francisco.
"That is an advantage of our Prime Minister (Anwar) and his charisma will be reflected when Malaysia assumes the Asean Chairmanship in 2025,” he said.
Malaysia has held the Asean Chairmanship four times - in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015. Malaysia is once again prepared to take on this significant challenge next year, in the face of new global challenges. - Bernama
