Awang Bemee: Asean Parliaments Crucial In Maintaining Regional Centrality, Governance
By Wan Muhammad Aslah Wan Razali
KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 (Bernama) -- ASEAN parliaments are crucial for strengthening regional governance, centrality and connectivity by maintaining public trust, institutional strength and citizens' aspirations in regional cooperation, said Malaysian Senate President Datuk Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah.
He said ASEAN’s sustainability depends not only on diplomatic engagement and leaders’ meetings, but also on institutions that are trusted and responsive to the people.
“Parliaments play an essential role in linking national policy to the aspirations and concerns of ordinary citizens.
“For that reason, the parliamentary dimension is not secondary. It is a fundamental part of the strength, legitimacy, and continuity of the regional project ASEAN itself,” he said during his luncheon address themed “The Role of ASEAN Parliaments in Strengthening ASEAN Governance, Centrality and Connectivity” at the ASEAN Leadership and Partnership Forum 2026 here, on Wednesday.
Awang Bemee said ASEAN is currently facing a complex and uncertain period marked by intensifying strategic rivalry, economic fragmentation, supply chain pressures, and concerns over energy and food security.
“In such a setting, ASEAN centrality becomes all the more important. Centrality is not just a phrase. It must be reinforced, provided ASEAN remains united, credible, relevant, and when we, as member states, see value, ordinary citizens see value in acting together,” he said.
The Senate president also stressed on the importance of making ASEAN meaningful to ordinary citizens by ensuring they experience the benefits of regional cooperation in their daily lives and livelihoods.
ASEAN, he said, must continue to evolve as a pragmatic, effective, consultative, responsive and people-centred regional organisation in facing global uncertainties.
That he said, will ultimately determine the success of the 59-year-old regional organisation.
-- BERNAMA
