TOMES could be written about the most significant diplomatic event in Malaysia’s history so far: it may literally be another generation before we see such a large gathering of leaders in Kuala Lumpur.
In the last seven days, arrivals and departures at the KL International Airport included all Asean heads of state or government (with the exception of Myanmar, which sent its Foreign Ministry’s Permanent Secretary and, in the case of the new member, both its President and Prime Minister); the Presidents of Brazil, South Africa, South Korea and the United States (with India’s participating remotely); the Prime Ministers of Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand; the Premier of China; the President of the European Council, and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, among other high-level representatives from other nations and institutions.
