KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia must collectively embrace the principle of striving for excellence by first strengthening national unity as it assumes the Asean chairmanship in 2025.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia must be well-organised, with governance strengthened and leakages and corruption eradicated, before venturing into regional and international markets.
He said that only by taking such measures could Malaysia earn respect as a sovereign, independent and responsible nation.
"The complexities of the current global landscape demand Asean to carve new roles and directions.
"This certainly is a significant task for Malaysia as it leads Asean this year (2025) under the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', which is to mobilise all available strengths and teams as a unified whole, ensuring that development remains sustainable while addressing disparities and tackling issues faced by the marginalised and poor communities.
"This is what we mean for Asean to share the fruits of prosperity equitably, without any group or region being left behind," he said in his 2025 New Year message, which was aired tonight.
Describing Malaysia's Asean chairmanship as a great honour, Anwar said the role presents an opportunity for Malaysia to forge a new chapter in regional and global agendas, which remain challenging.
"This includes fundamental issues such as massacres, oppression, injustices and colonisation in Gaza and other affected areas."
Malaysia will officially assume the Asean chairmanship on Jan 1, 2025, after Laos handed over the responsibility during the 44th and 45th Asean Summits in Vientiane on Oct 11.
With the theme of 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', Malaysia will host over 300 Asean meetings and summits throughout the year, including the Asean Economic Ministers' Retreat in Johor, the Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting and Post-Ministerial Conference in Kuala Lumpur and the 47th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia previously chaired Asean in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.