PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia is actively preparing for its ASEAN 2025 Chairmanship, focusing on full readiness in logistics, security, cleanliness, meeting schedules, event management, and documentation. Chief Secretary to the Government (KSN) Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar emphasized the essential commitment from every government agency to ensure seamless execution during the year-long chairmanship, marking an important milestone for the nation.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Shamsul Azri stated that logistics, security, cleanliness, meeting schedules, event management, substantive programs, and documentation must remain top priorities. He highlighted the crucial role of all government agencies in not taking lightly or overlooking preparations related to logistics and event management. He mentioned this during a special interview ahead of his 100th day as the 16th KSN, which falls on November 19.
The government has outlined several key aspects to ensure Malaysia’s full preparedness to host over 300 ASEAN meeting
s, programs, and summits in 2025. Malaysia will formally assume the ASEAN Chairmanship on January 1, 2025, leading a range of initiatives under the theme ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability.’ This theme will support ASEAN’s three main pillars: the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC).
Shamsul Azri also stressed the need for strategic collaboration between government agencies, government-linked companies (GLCs), government-linked investment companies (GLICs), and the private sector. This cooperation is crucial not only for resource sharing and facility usage but also for promoting local companies at the ASEAN and international levels. He warned against compromising on issues related to security, cleanliness, traffic management, and public facility readiness, as any minor error or oversight could significantly impact the nation’s image.
Additionally, Shamsul Azri underscored that the chairmanship presents an opportunity for Ma
laysia to optimize economic gains. He assured that efforts would be made to secure as many economic opportunities as possible for the nation, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy, tourism, and healthcare. He further noted the importance of ensuring that all government and private sector investments yield optimal returns on investment (ROI) to advance both ASEAN’s and Malaysia’s growth.
Shamsul Azri urged all parties to remain committed to ensuring Malaysia’s successful ASEAN 2025 Chairmanship, which will further strengthen the country’s standing on the global stage. Malaysia has previously held the ASEAN Chairmanship in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015, during which it played a pivotal role in enhancing regional cooperation and advancing ASEAN’s economic integration.