KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Asean chairmanship provides opportunities to shape the bloc for rapid transformation on all fronts, said the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF).
Its president, Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman, said as Asean chair, Malaysia played a critical role in providing leadership on how the region must adapt to challenges by strengthening intra-regional trade, digital transformation and supply chain resilience.
"Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, as the leader of the Asean chair, is in a position to implement the Asean Economic Community (AEC) 2025 blueprint.
"Under the AEC 2025 blueprint, key areas will include digital economy integration, promoting green energy transitions and addressing food security, which is critical due to global supply chain uncertainties.
"Malaysia's priorities for the Asean chairmanship include strengthening Asean centrality, promoting intra-trade and investment and addressing climate change.
"Malaysia's Asean chairmanship will lead the bloc into a more inclusive, sustainable and collaborative future," he said in a statement today.
Syed Hussain said the Asean chairmanship comes at a time of many challenges, from economic recovery to geopolitical uncertainties, which require decisive leadership, collaborative solutions and a commitment to Asean's founding principles of unity and cooperation through consensus building.
"Anwar has the expertise, vision and diplomatic acumen to guide Asean towards a more prosperous, inclusive and sustainable future."
He said MEF, as the central organisation of private sector employers in Malaysia, would help the government ensure the success of Malaysia's chairmanship of Asean.
He said MEF would chair the Asean Confederation of Employers scheduled in the first quarter of this year.
"As chairman of Asean Confederation of Employers, MEF will pursue policies that better support Malaysia's chairmanship of Asean. MEF sees the importance of inclusivity and people-centric policies within Asean.
"As the chair of ACE, MEF will push for initiatives that address pressing socio-cultural challenges, such as education access, labour mobility through MRAs (mutual recognition arrangements) and social security coverage and protection enhancements."
Syed Hussain said MEF would help Asean enhance youth and civil society engagement in the Asean processes.
"Empowering youth and stakeholders will bridge the gap between policymaking and realities on the ground, ensuring that Asean's policies resonate with and will benefit about 680 million citizens of Asean."
The Asean Confederation of Employers was established in 1978 to optimise liaison, cooperation and representation in labour and social legislation, industrial relations and practices among Asean employers and in relation to the international community.
It brings together ten employer organisations in Asean, namely the MEF, National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodian Federation of Employers and Business Associations, Employers' Association of Indonesia, Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Union of Myanmar Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Employers Confederation of the Philippines, Singapore National Employers Federation, Employers Confederation of Thailand and Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
"MEF's chairmanship of the Asean Confederation of Employers reflects its influence in the Asean business and labour ecosystem. It will allow the shaping of regional policies related to labour, employment and businesses."
He said MEF's stewardship provides an opportunity for the association to advocate for progressive employment practices within Asean, including workplace modernisation, digital transformation and sustainability.
"MEF will lead initiatives in preparing Asean's workforce for Industry 4.0 and addressing challenges such as the future of work, the gig economy and youth employability.
"MEF will also lead initiatives for greater collaborations with the International Labour Organisation, International Organisation of Employers and Asean to harmonise labour standards and practices across the region, which will enable greater economic integration and cross-border investments."
Syed Hussain said MEF is well positioned to address the challenges faced by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and less-developed Asean economies, ensuring inclusive growth.