Malaysia’s 2025 Asean chairmanship will boost regional unity, digital growth, and uphold Asean’s neutrality, experts say.
PETALING JAYA: Experts are expecting that Malaysia’s chairmanship of Asean in 2025 will enhance regional integration and digital transformation amidst the global geopolitical situation.
Analysts believe that this leadership will also further strengthen Asean’s commitment to neutrality and non-alignment.
Emir Research founder Datuk Seri Dr Rais Hussin highlighted the significance of Malaysia hosting the first Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) + China Summit.
"This initiative could elevate Asean’s role in shaping inter-regional dialogues on trade, energy, and security cooperation, thus reinforcing the bloc's centrality," he said.
He also said that this move would underscore Malaysia’s "active neutrality," balancing its relationships with both Western countries and China.
“Encouraging enhanced engagement with the GCC and China—while also maintaining robust ties with other dialogue partners—strengthens Asean’s bargaining position.
“This multipolar approach positions Asean as a mediator or bridge-builder in global affairs, reducing vulnerabilities tied to great-power rivalries,” he said, adding that this would also help Asean diversify its economic and strategic ties.
Senior fellow at the Nusantara Academic Research Centre Dr Azmi Hassan concurred, saying that the Asean-GCC + China Summit would expand the region's trade activities.
"Malaysia’s chairmanship aligns with integrating the regional summit and setting aside geopolitical differences within Asean and with other superpowers, including European nations," he added.
The GCC is composed of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Previously, it was reported that the Asean-GCC Summit and the Asean-GCC+China Summit in Kuala Lumpur were set to take place in May.
Last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia has outlined three strategic priorities for Asean when it assumes the group's chairmanship in 2025.
This includes strengthening regional value chains and regulatory cooperation, reinforcing member countries' economic fundamentals and reinventing, restructuring, and recalibrating their economies while leveraging each other’s strengths.
Anwar also stressed the importance of expanding trade and investment linkages and fostering digital transformation in the region.
Asean-India Business Council alternate chairman Nivas Ragavan said that Malaysia’s chairmanship provides an opportunity to strengthen regional value chains amid global economic shifts.
"With geopolitical tensions prompting supply chain diversification, Asean is poised to become a resilient production hub," he said, adding that Malaysian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) must adapt to new trade policies and digital trade frameworks.
Nivas also advocated for Asean to streamline cross-border trade through digital platforms and unified regulatory frameworks, such as the Asean Single Window and expanded digital trade agreements, which could reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks.
“Malaysia’s leadership should drive Asean towards adopting a clear green investment framework, incentivising renewable energy projects and implementing sustainable supply chain practices.
“Asean’s economic policies should prioritise integrating SMEs into the regional value chain by providing access to financing, technology and capacity-building initiatives,” said Nivas.
Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia (DPMM) secretary-general Ahmad Yazid Othman said that Malaysia's leadership should ensure that digital transformation benefits all businesses, not just large corporations.
"Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship is a strategic opportunity to promote stronger economic policies that empower businesses, drive digital inclusion, and position Asean as a competitive global economic bloc," he said.
Ahmad Yazid emphasised the need for targeted policies to support local businesses, citing challenges such as economic disparities and competition with multinational corporations.
“We expect Asean, under Malaysia’s leadership, to focus on practical, action-driven strategies that deliver real benefits to businesses on the ground.
“These should include harmonising trade regulations across Asean to reduce compliance costs, particularly for SMEs,” he said, adding that market access to key sectors such as Islamic finance and digital technology should also be expanded.
“Malaysia’s chairmanship must prioritise accelerating the Asean Economic Community (AEC) framework in ways that benefit mid-sized enterprises and not just large multinational players.”
