KUALA LUMPUR, March 14 (Bernama) – Malaysia remains steadfast in its commitment to enhancing ASEAN’s influence in global affairs, strengthening strategic partnerships, and reinforcing regional cooperation amid escalating geopolitical uncertainties, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said.
In a commentary titled “The Global South’s Path to Economic Resilience”, published on the Project Syndicate website today, Anwar underscored the need to resist the erosion of multilateralism and the growing distrust in international relations, warning against accepting these challenges as the “new normal.”
Instead, he called for collective action to safeguard peace and ensure a stable global order.
“For countries like Malaysia and other ASEAN members, the weakening of multilateral cooperation and rising distrust represent a dangerous new normal. But there is nothing ‘normal’ about this state of affairs. To navigate these uncertain times, we must remain steadfast in our purpose and act with conviction,” he wrote.
Anwar stressed that ASEAN, a regional bloc representing nearly 690 million people, must take an active role in shaping global policies rather than passively accepting decisions made by external powers.
He highlighted ASEAN’s ongoing engagement in areas such as governance, defense, technological advancements, and social progress, including women’s empowerment. He reaffirmed that ASEAN is not merely a bystander to these global shifts but is actively shaping them.
“In May, Kuala Lumpur will host the ASEAN-GCC Summit, aimed at strengthening ties between these two dynamic regional blocs,” Anwar noted.
Anwar, who has been a contributor to Project Syndicate since 2019, continues to advocate for a stronger voice for developing nations in global economic and political discourse.
Project Syndicate is an international non-profit media organization that publishes analysis and commentary from leading global thinkers, policymakers, and civic activists.
— BERNAMA
