Picture credit:By 外務省ホームページ, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=148763958
ASEAN at a Crossroads: Malaysia’s PM Warns of Rising Global Conflicts, Calls for Inclusive Peace in Myanmar
Kuala Lumpur, 30 May 2025 —
Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim described the current global landscape as a “sobering moment in history,” citing the unprecedented rise in armed conflicts—from Ukraine and Gaza to Myanmar—as the highest since World War II.
Speaking at the 46th ASEAN Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-Gulf-China Summit held in Kuala Lumpur on May 26–27, Prime Minister Anwar emphasized the need for regional stability grounded in openness, cooperation, and consensus-building, in contrast to coalitions that promote division or arms races.
Among key outcomes of the summit was the landmark agreement to admit Timor-Leste as ASEAN’s 11th full member by October. ASEAN’s current ten members include Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and the Philippines.
Addressing the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, Mr. Anwar acknowledged the situation remains “grave” but reaffirmed that ASEAN is “not standing still.” He stressed that a sustainable resolution must be inclusive:
“Myanmar’s nationhood must be forged through inclusion, not erasure. The Five-Point Consensus remains clear—any resolution excluding those most affected by the crisis will not endure.”
The 2021 ASEAN peace plan, which called for dialogue among all stakeholders and an end to violence, has made little headway. Still, Mr. Anwar urged that diplomacy—not escalation—remains ASEAN’s guiding principle:
“Our objective is not achieved through provocation or disproportionate responses, but through steady, principled diplomacy—quiet where needed, but always firm.”
The Summit also advanced ASEAN’s geoeconomic strategy, including deeper ties with the Gulf states and the launch of the ASEAN Geoeconomics Task Force, aimed at helping the region better coordinate responses to global economic shocks.
On foreign policy, Prime Minister Anwar reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to active non-alignment, engaging with all global powers to maximize strategic space without taking sides. While welcoming a “strong and enduring” U.S. presence, he also underscored Malaysia’s “vibrant and firm” relations with China and partnerships across Asia, Europe, and the Global South.
For more ASEAN updates, visit: www.myanmarmuslim.news
