IT is a great honour and privilege for Malaysia to host the ASEAN Summit from May 26‒27 with the theme for the Summit being ‘Inclusivity and sustainability’.
The event brings together its 10 members to chart the course for the future now temporarily made more uncertain due to various regional conflicts elsewhere as well as the trade tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump.
This is on top of the pre-existing tensions emanating from the South China Sea territorial claims and the problems concerning Myanmar.
This is Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s first ASEAN Summit and much is expected from him in the conference. ASEAN has contributed much to regional unity and prosperity and the association is one of the most economically vibrant and dynamic groupings in the world.
Since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, the Association has used the Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality (ZOPFAN) to stay clear from big power rivalry during the Cold War and the subsequent rise of China in the last three decades.
All the member states including the five founding members value their membership and there is no talk of any nation leaving the grouping despite some political differences.
There are some nations who would very much want to become members if allowed. ASEAN has, however, also been inclusive with its ASEAN Plus One agreements. Such is the attraction of ASEAN.
Now that the grouping, founded in 1967, has withstood the test of time there is a need to look into the future progressive needs of the nations to cement unity in diversity further and make the region economically vibrant and prosperous.
President Trump’s different tariff rates for ASEAN nations was an attempt to divide the grouping from making a combined collective effort for a uniform tariff rate that would show unity and consensus.
With tremendous growth of technology ASEAN nations need to take advantage of new developments to chart a new course for their economies’ future with attractive investment schemes to provide employment opportunities for ASEAN’s mainly young population, where sizeable numbers are still attached to agriculture and other traditional employment activities.
In the political arena many new developments await Anwar to take the lead such as extending membership to East Timor.
An idea that has been mooted over the years if not decades is the need for an ASEAN Parliament which will buttress the region’s democratic, political and social growth in the members states and also enhance the image of ASEAN globally.
About 5‒10% of parliamentarians should be reserved for women. It will be the crowning glory of the South East Asian grouping that has transformed the region in every sphere.
The ASEAN Parliament could be sited in Putrajaya. The idea of an ASEAN university, which can lead to more educational and linguistic interaction among members and become an eminent education centre for scholars and R&D research like the top universities can also be considered.
ASEAN also needs to include Papua New Guinea, which is a resource-rich country but is left alone and not getting any benefits that come from socio-economic cooperation within a regional grouping.
Part of Papua New Guinea is already included in Indonesia as Irian Jaya and therefore extending membership should not be a problem.
Additionally, more opportunities for people-oriented and people-centric activities involving the arts, culture, traditions and and even a traditional attire contest for both men and women to showcase ASEAN’s unique rich diversity.
Malaysia has promulgated 2026 as the Visit Malaysia Year and the ASEAN Summit could be utilised as an advertisement blitz for this programme.
ASEAN is very much a very diverse region of Buddhist, Islamic, Hindu and Christian faiths, and touristic interaction among the countries will be much welcome.
As the present Chair of ASEAN it will be good if Malaysia and Anwar can make their distinctive mark as the host with positive, timely and much-needed contributions and ideas to chart the future course of ASEAN. ‒ May 27, 2025
V. Thomas is a Focus Malaysia viewer.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main image: ASEAN
