KUALA LUMPUR: Putrajaya will continue to take a strong stance in promoting a rules-based world order, says Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Aziz (pic).
"New major power dynamics under Trump's administration, coupled with calls for a new world order by middle powers and other regions in line with the Global South, is something ASEAN must continuously take stock of," he said.
Tengku Zafrul said this during the Asean Economic Opinion Leaders Conference: Outlook for 2025 on Thursday (Jan 9).
"As often demonstrated by our Prime Minister, Malaysia needs to continue being active, outspoken, and principled on geopolitical and economic issues during our chairmanship,” he added.
He said that his ministry will maintain a firm position on promoting a rules-based world order and added that resolving Asean issues should be a team effort.
"There is always the expectation that the Chair may need to 'liberate' Asean from its ongoing existential crisis by swiftly addressing issues like Myanmar and the South China Sea, on which our Prime Minister has also been outspoken," he said.
"But resolving these issues requires the consensus of all member states, particularly the economically stronger ones with more global political currency, to contribute to the resolution,” added Tengku Zafrul.
He said that while the Chair leads, the onus shouldn’t be on it alone.
“This is important because given the scale of changes regionally and globally, it will take time for intra-Asean dynamics to pave the way for stronger consensus," he added.
Tengku Zafrul said in the era of US-China decoupling and deglobalisation, Asean’s strong neutrality and non-alignment could be crucial in preserving many of the world’s critical supply chains.
"This could be Asean’s, and by virtue of our Chairmanship, Malaysia’s golden moment.
As ASEAN attracts more investment flows from superpowers and other nations, it supports the region’s geopolitical security, benefiting both the region and the world," he said.
As the China+1 Strategy progresses and superpowers decouple, supply chains will also diversify. Many MNCs are diversifying suppliers and logistics providers while building supply chains that mirror geopolitical alliances," he added.
He said as Asean’s chairman, Malaysia’s commitment will be reflected in tangible results delivered in 2025, benefiting the country and the entire Asean community.
