ASEAN Sec-gen Praises Malaysia’s Leadership During Turbulent Year
By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar
JAKARTA, Oct 24 (Bernama) -- ASEAN secretary-general Dr Kao Kim Hourn has commended Malaysia’s leadership for steering the regional bloc with readiness and foresight through one of its most challenging periods, citing Kuala Lumpur’s firm commitment to unity, economic integration and regional stability.
Malaysia assumed the ASEAN Chairmanship 2025 from Laos on Jan 1 under the theme ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’, pledging to strengthen economic cooperation, safeguard stability, and advance ASEAN’s long-term vision.
“I commend Malaysia’s leadership for advancing ASEAN’s core interests, political-security, economic, socio-cultural, and connectivity,” he said in a recent interview with Radio Republik Indonesia ahead of the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
Kao said Malaysia has demonstrated steady leadership amid global challenges, including the war in Ukraine, the devastating conflict in Gaza and volatile trade conditions that continue to test regional resilience.
He noted that Malaysia’s chairmanship had accelerated regional economic integration, particularly through efforts to upgrade the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), a key step towards realising a single market and production base.
Malaysia also hosted the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit in May, held back-to-back with the 46th ASEAN Summit, where leaders agreed to pursue a feasibility study for a region-to-region free trade agreement.
Kao also credited Malaysia for expanding ASEAN’s partnership with key dialogue partners, including China, South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the GCC states.
“I congratulate Malaysia as ASEAN Chair, with the full support of all ASEAN member states, because Malaysia’s success is the success of all member states,” he said.
He also lauded Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s diplomatic leadership in promoting regional peace and consensus-building, particularly in mediating an immediate and unconditional ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia following the border dispute between the two member states.
“I think Prime Minister Anwar has been quite wise, capable, and very able to lead in building consensus through his role as ASEAN Chair, working to establish a ceasefire and restore peace and stability,” Kao said.
Malaysia’s chairmanship has also marked significant institutional progress, marked by the adoption of the ASEAN Vision 2045, a key document charting the region’s direction for the next two decades, along with four associated strategic plans, including ASEAN Connectivity, as well as steps towards Timor-Leste’s full membership.
“This year has been challenging, but there have been many efforts to promote unity, solidarity, and ASEAN centrality. Moving forward, ASEAN must continue to focus on the organisation’s interests and priorities,” he added.
-- BERNAMA
