ASEAN Summit Underscores Malaysia’s Strategic Leadership Role, Say Analysts 

By Muhammad Faiz Baharin

KUALA LUMPUR, May 29 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s successful hosting of the 46th ASEAN Summit has enhanced its diplomatic stature, demonstrating strong regional leadership and strategic neutrality while uniting member states to address pressing global and regional challenges, analysts say. 

Political Science Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Administrative Science and Policy Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Seremban campus, Shahidah Abdul Razak said Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair 2025, had effectively led the regional bloc in addressing both global and regional issues collectively.

Among the matters tackled, she said, were the ongoing trade tensions, including tariffs imposed by the United States, which have impacted several ASEAN member states, and the Myanmar crisis, which was brought to the negotiating table in pursuit of a long-term resolution.

“As ASEAN Chair, Malaysia also succeeded in producing the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future – a comprehensive and holistic document in navigating today’s uncertain and complex geopolitical landscape.

“We also maintained a neutral image, positioning Malaysia — and ASEAN more broadly — as a regional organisation that does not align with any global power bloc,” she told Bernama.

Shahidah said Malaysia also played a key role as a mediator between major powers such as China in discussions related to security, economic and social issues, including tensions in the South China Sea.

She said Malaysia’s engagement with Arab nations during the summit also reflected the country's respected leadership in tackling global issues, notably the Palestinian cause.

“Malaysia has also elevated ASEAN’s influence as a bloc representing small and medium-sized economies, pushing forward trilateral economic agreements with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China,” she said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Dean (Research and Innovation) at the School of International Studies, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Associate Professor Dr Siti Darwinda Mohamed Pero, said Malaysia’s chairmanship produced significant and concrete outcomes for the region.

“As ASEAN Chair 2025, we took on this responsibility amid global economic uncertainty and seized the moment, guiding member states and producing strategic diplomatic initiatives that have positively impacted both the nation and ASEAN in a short span of time,” she said.

“In the economic sphere, for instance, we successfully hosted the inaugural ASEAN-China-GCC meeting, which paved the way for bridging the three blocs in cooperation areas such as new energy and artificial intelligence (AI), while also reinforcing regional geopolitical stability,” she added.

Meanwhile, Dr Noor Nirwandy Mat Noordin, an expert in psychological warfare and a security and political analyst at the Centre for Media and Information Warfare Studies, UiTM, said Malaysia’s successful hosting of the ASEAN Summit was closely linked to the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He described Anwar as one of the region’s most adept diplomatic leaders, who not only elevated ASEAN’s image but also helped recalibrate the bloc’s relations with global powers.

“Anwar has shaped a distinctive ASEAN leadership identity, positioning the bloc within a respected political landscape and enabling meaningful cooperation with nations that can positively contribute to regional progress.

“He envisions an ASEAN that can build its own identity and strength, and that dares to champion new, ASEAN-centric innovations rather than merely following global powers,” he said.

Noor Nirwandy also highlighted Malaysia’s success in securing consensus among ASEAN member states to support Timor-Leste’s entry into the bloc by October as further proof of Anwar’s diplomatic approach to fostering regional inclusivity.

Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair 2025 under the theme ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’, hosted the 46th ASEAN Summit and related meetings from May 22 to 27.

-- BERNAMA