Kuala Lumpur: After a decade, Malaysia has once again been entrusted with the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with its 46th and 47th summits scheduled to take place here in May and October respectively. With less than three months remaining before the 46th ASEAN Summit on May 6 and 7, experts have put forward various recommendations for Malaysia to consider and prioritise as the main agenda for the meeting of the 10 heads of government of this regional bloc, which was established on Aug 8, 1967.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, experts suggest that Malaysia - as a country led by a unity government centred on diplomacy and tolerance - should leverage this approach to make the ASEAN leaders' gathering a platform for resolving complex cross-border issues such as human trafficking and online fraud, as well as the humanitarian crisis involving Rohingya refugees. They also noted that the bloc is facing increasingly complex geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges, requiring cooperation among all member states to ensure ASEAN remains strong and resilient.
Dr Aizat Khairi, a senior lecturer at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's Research Centre for History, Politics and International Affairs, said Malaysia should take advantage of its chairmanship to emphasise unity in resolving critical issues affecting ASEAN member states. He highlighted that ASEAN's adherence to the principles of non-interference and consensus has maintained relative peace since 1967, but current regional tensions have strained these principles. Aizat emphasized the need for ASEAN to address humanitarian issues boldly while adapting to new challenges like cybersecurity and climate change.
Referring to calls for Malaysia to urge ASEAN to take immediate action in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, Aizat pointed out that the Five-Point Consensus agreed upon by ASEAN leaders in April 2021 has not been successfully implemented, exposing weaknesses in decision-making. He suggested imposing collective economic pressure on Myanmar's military regime while ensuring humanitarian aid reaches victims directly.
On ASEAN's global role, Aizat advised Malaysia to restore ASEAN's position as an influential regional bloc by stressing 'ASEAN Centrality' and acting as a mediator in sensitive issues. He also underlined the importance of digital economic development and transitioning to green energy as key pillars for strengthening regional competitiveness.
Meanwhile, Dr Hussain Yusri Zawawi from Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin viewed Malaysia's chairmanship as a significant responsibility in strengthening ASEAN's role as a bloc built on justice and human rights. He highlighted the need for strong leadership to address regional and global geopolitical challenges and advocated for the implementation of initiatives like the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement.
Referring to the proposal by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for an ASEAN Cybercrime Task Force, Hussain Yusri said the proposal is timely due to increasing cyberattacks. He noted the need for rapid information exchange among member states and alignment of cybercrime policies to combat transnational crime effectively.
Hussain Yusri also emphasized human rights issues, advocating for enhanced protections for individual rights and enforcement mechanisms. He urged ASEAN to intensify efforts for economic cohesion and reduce trade barriers to stimulate regional growth, aiming for ASEAN to become a strong and respected international bloc.