KUALA LUMPUR: Asean's role has become more crucial in post normal times, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"In a time when certainties are rare and policies often reflect purely national interests, Asean's role is more crucial than ever.
"I believe in Asean cohesiveness to strengthen our position as a formidable economic force. We must fortify Asean as a peaceful venture, addressing minor issues pragmatically," he said in Facebook post today.
Anwar said enhancing collaboration and economic trade and forging greater economic alliances with key partners such as Japan, Korea, China, Australia, and India is essential.
"Our vision is to see Asean not only as a regional powerhouse but also as a dynamic and influential player on the global stage.
Malaysia will undertake its chairmanship of Asean in 2025 by championing these ideals and seek to make them reality, he added.
This includes diversification of global supply chains and FDI inflows benefit development and reduce disparities will be a focus.
"By working together, Asean can create a more integrated and resilient regional economy. Malaysia itself is setting an example through strategic initiatives such as the Madani Economy Framework, which aims to drive sustainable and inclusive development, ensuring that the benefits of prosperity are shared equitably among all Malaysians," he said.
"We also aim to enhance economic cooperation with global partners by advancing technological collaboration and promoting sustainable trade practices such as greater innovation into green technologies, essential for future growth and environmental sustainability," he added.
In another post, Anwar said Malaysia will prioritise regional cooperation and economic growth as it prepares to assume the Chairmanship of Asean in 2025,
"On the economic front, our focus will firstly be to strengthen economic cooperation among Asean member states. I reiterate this point. Because while we are successful at maintaining diplomatically, good bilateral relations individually, and at sub-regional and regional Asean levels, we need to do more," said Anwar.
There is much more that the region can, and should, work on to enhance its capabilities, to improve its capacities to attract investments and trade, and to become an important regional bloc, he added.
"Japan will play an important role in this! It played a pivotal role propelling Malaysia's economy forward, in the 1970s and 1980s, particularly during our transformative manufacturing boom," he said.