January 17, 2025
LANGKAWI – AS Malaysia assumes the Asean chairmanship for the fifth time, the usually serene Langkawi will be hosting the first of hundreds of key meetings that will be held across the nation this year.
The two-day Asean Foreign Ministers’ Retreat (AMM), which begins with a meeting involving senior officials tomorrow, will mark the first major meeting under Malaysia’s chairmanship of Asean in 2025.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hassan said the AMM will highlight key priorities, among them enhancing intra-Asean trade and investment, leveraging advancements in science, technology, and digital transformation, and prioritising inclusivity and sustainability in community-building efforts.
“Malaysia will work to address development gaps, improve living standards, and mitigate the impacts of climate change, advocating for a rules-based order that ensures regional stability amid global contestation,” he told The Star.
Mohamad named other issues that Malaysia will raise, such as pushing for regional stability with an emphasis on challenges posed by major power rivalries, and advocating for Asean as a platform for dialogue to de-escalate tensions and maintain peace.
“Malaysia will also prioritise the full membership of Timor-Leste in Asean and highlight progress in the roadmap for its integration and participation in Asean meetings,” he said.
As for the Myanmar crisis, Mohamad said while Malaysia stresses the need for practical and sustainable solutions, it also seeks meaningful progress over the contentious issue that has affected the region over the years.
“The South China Sea will also feature prominently in discussions as Malaysia works to promote dialogue and cooperation among Asean members and external partners,” he added.
Mohamad said the two-day retreat will offer a platform for his regional counterparts to discuss Asean’s external relations, exchange views on regional and international matters and review the progress made during last year’s two Asean summits.
“Ultimately, Malaysia will guide Asean towards unified and proactive actions, ensuring that the organisation remains resilient, people-centred and effective in promoting peace, security and prosperity.”
Mohamad said the Langkawi retreat will set the strategic direction for Asean this year, and the outcome of the retreat will be spelt out in the chairman’s joint press statement.
“It will outline Asean’s collective approach across the three pillars of Asean in enhancing areas of functional cooperation as well as in addressing both regional and global challenges,” he added.
According to Mohamad, the statement will highlight Malaysia’s commitment to reinforce Asean unity and centrality, and progress made by a high-level task force on the post-Asean Community Vision 2025 in developing strategic plans for the Asean Community Vision 2045, among others.
He said it will also touch on Asean’s collective efforts to tackle pressing regional issues, including transnational crime, cybersecurity and trafficking in persons, to strengthen regional security.
“The statement will also highlight inter-alia, the convening of the first dialogue among Asean national security advisors as a forum to address issues of strategic concern impacting the region,” Mohamad said.
Foreign Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin said the AMM will mark the official launch of Malaysia’s chairmanship of Asean with over 200 delegates present in Langkawi.
Malaysia, he said, is taking a whole-of-government approach towards its Asean chairmanship, with the entire government machinery mobilised to ensure the seamless execution of all Asean meetings and engagements.
He voiced hopes that Malaysians would take this opportunity to showcase a “whole-of-Malaysia” approach to ensure that Asean delegates and others, who visit the country during its chairmanship, feel welcomed.
Amran said it is Malaysia’s responsibility to ensure all the guests will leave with a positive impression of the country.
“Our aim is to bring Asean closer to the grassroots level, allowing them to appreciate Malaysia’s rich diversity, while also providing opportunities for local communities to learn more about Asean and benefit from business and tourism prospects,” he said.
This, he said, was in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s directive to host Asean meetings in every state.
According to Amran, over 350 Asean-related meetings are scheduled to take place nationwide this year. For instance, 45 meetings will be held in Langkawi and 37 in Penang.
He said there would be 14 high-level meetings involving heads of states and government.
“Depending on the issues raised, the number may be even higher,” he said.
Amran said the 46th Asean Summit is scheduled for mid-year, together with the Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council-China Summit, while the 47th Asean Summit will be held towards the end of the year.
And in line with Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, Amran said Proton’s electric vehicle e.MAS 7 will debut at the retreat as the official vehicle for senior officials during Asean-related meetings this year.
The Asean Senior Officials Meeting is scheduled for tomorrow. This will be followed by the AMM the next day at the Langkawi International Convention Centre.
Asean comprises 10 South-east Asian nations – Brunei, the Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Malaysia officially assumed the Asean chairmanship on Jan 1.
This year marks Malaysia’s fifth time as Asean Chair, following terms in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.