BEIJING: Malaysia is committed to strengthening cooperation and unity among Asean member states as it takes over the bloc's chairmanship next year, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Anwar said as Asean chairman, Malaysia will also engage member countries, dialogue partners and international organisations to promote peace and a de-escalation of the civil war in Myanmar which has displaced over three million people.
Speaking at a public lecture at Peking University here today, Anwar said Malaysia will uphold the Asean principle of centrality, which seeks to ensure no country, no matter how big, can dictate another nation's actions.
"Centrality also means that no member should establish distinct self-serving cartels or inward-looking mini-laterals that would only serve to perpetuate the vested interests of their members at the expense of others.
"Asean centrality can only be maintained if Southeast Asia remains cohesive and united and Malaysia recognises this."
Anwar said this was why Malaysia will work tirelessly to strengthen Asean's cohesion by ensuring that all voices are heard and decisions are made collectively.
This, he said, was inline with Malaysia's chairmanship theme of "Inclusivity and Sustainability" which reflects the vision of an Asean where all members regardless of size or economic capacity, benefit from growth and development.
The public lecture, themed, "Bridging Futures: Strengthening Malaysia-China Relations and Asian Centrality in a Shifting Global Order", was also attended by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
Anwar, whose official visit to China ends today, also said that an increasingly complex global landscape requires Asean to take on new roles and responsibilities.
"This is why we champion the principle of Asean centrality, as it is a concept that places Asean at the heart of regional peace, security and economic cooperation.
"Asean centrality is the foundation that allows our region to interact constructively with global powers while maintaining our independence and promoting regional stability."