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

Barnama

6 days ago

GENERAL
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.