Leaders show strong spirit for better intra-ASEAN relations, says Anwar

By FARAH SOLHI

COUNTRY leaders who had attended the 46th ASEAN Summit on May 26 and 27 came with a clear and strong spirit to strengthen intra-ASEAN relations, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Speaking at a press conference on May 27, he said the summits held discussed forward-thinking issues, keeping leaders eager to see results at the 47th ASEAN Summit in October.

“We have all these matters discussed to affect real change to benefit our ordinary people and I really sense this huge dramatic change in terms of attitude. We wanted to see it done and everything must be in the name of ASEAN.

“I’m not saying all issues can be resolved but at least there is a real meaningful, positive engagement and that is the new spirit of ASEAN that I am personally excited about ,” he said.

Asked about the US tariff debacle, Anwar reiterated ASEAN’s position in prioritising the people’s wellbeing and welfare as the central focus.

“We are not tilting in any way. If it means working with the Chinese, yes we’ll do it (and same goes to the US), because Malaysia, in particular, is considered to have become the hub for semiconductors and over 60% of our exports go to the US.

“It makes a lot of sense to continue to engage and have good relations,” he added.

On timor-Leste, Anwar said ASEAN countries have been working very hard to help it become a full member of ASEAN, as there were pillars that the country needed to meet politically, economically and legally.

“The consensus was that we’ll do whatever is necessary to ensure that they’ll come in by October as ASEAN’s full member,” he added.

The 46th ASEAN Summit took place at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on May 26 and 27, 2025. The Summit also held the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit.

Malaysia assumed its fifth chairmanship this year, under the “Inclusivity and Sustainability” theme, reflecting the nation’s aspirations to shape a united and prosperous ASEAN.