logo
Asean navigates crisis, expansion, and power rivalry at Kuala Lumpur meetings

Asean navigates crisis, expansion, and power rivalry at Kuala Lumpur meetings

Daily Express17-07-2025
Published on: Thursday, July 17, 2025
Published on: Thu, Jul 17, 2025
By: Lynelle Tham, Danish Raja Reza Text Size: Asean foreign ministers met for four days in Kuala Lumpur last week to discuss regional issues. Kuala Lumpur: The 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting and its related sessions wrapped up with Southeast Asian countries projecting cautious unity as they face rising geopolitical tensions, economic challenges, and the prolonged Myanmar crisis. Foreign ministers from the 10 Asean countries met with counterparts from major partners, including the US, China and Japan, to discuss key regional issues, including maritime security to trade and political cooperation.
Advertisement Here are the key takeaways from the four-day event. Myanmar crisis a high priority Myanmar remained high on the agenda as Asean tried to make further headway on the five-point consensus (5PC), a peace plan agreed in 2021 after the junta seized power in a coup. In a joint statement, the ministers expressed 'deep concern over the escalation of conflicts and the humanitarian situation in Myanmar', and reiterated the 5PC as a core framework for engagement. Foreign minister Mohamad Hasan said he planned to visit Naypyidaw in late September or October, where he would present a 'wish list' compiled after consultation with various stakeholders, including the opposition National Unity Government (NUG). 'The majority of them want the release of political prisoners, a ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian aid,' he said at a press conference at the end of the meetings. Mohamad also said that holding elections in Myanmar should not take precedence over meeting the conditions of the 5PC. 'Holding an election just to say, 'Look, we had an election, so we're already a democratic government', is not right,' he said. Timor-Leste's accession still on the cards Despite reported objections from Myanmar's junta, Asean reaffirmed that it would admit Timor-Leste as its 11th member during the October summit. 'We reaffirmed Asean's commitment to an inclusive and sustainable regional community by supporting Timor-Leste's full membership,' it said, citing Dili's active observer role and its willingness to accede to all Asean treaties and agreements. The junta is said to have formally opposed Dili's entry, accusing it of violating Asean's non-interference principle by engaging with the NUG. But Asean secretary-general Kao Kim Hourn dismissed concerns, saying Myanmar and Timor-Leste had been 'sitting down together' and 'sorting out their differences'. Tariffs cast shadow Trade issues took centre stage after US president Donald Trump announced new tariffs on Southeast Asian exports. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim warned against a growing trend of weaponising trade tools, and called for deeper alignment between Asean's economic and foreign policy arms. US secretary of state Marco Rubio, who was here on his maiden visit, said some Southeast Asian countries could end up with tariffs 'better than those in other parts of the world'. Some countries have already seen results: Vietnam secured a tariff cut from 46% to 20% following direct talks with the US, while Cambodia saw rates drop from 49% to 36%. Mohamad said the meetings provided a platform for Asean countries to raise concerns about the US tariffs through individual bilateral discussions. Although Asean declared in April that it would adopt a unified approach to the tariffs, Mohamad said Washington made its preference clear: 'They don't want to (negotiate) with a bloc. They want to do it (bilaterally)'. Big powers at play The summit also underscored Asean's delicate dance with the world's major powers, as the US, China and Russia all used the Kuala Lumpur platform to reassert influence and test diplomatic ground. Rubio hinted that Trump might attend the Asean Summit in October and confirmed that talks were ongoing for a possible US-Asean summit, proposed by Malaysia. China, the primary target of Trump's tariffs, was represented by foreign minister Wang Yi. While tensions lingered, both sides used the Kuala Lumpur meetings as a platform for quiet diplomacy. Rubio described talks with his Chinese counterpart as 'positive', and offered similar remarks after meeting Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov. Mohamad said Malaysia, as a trading nation, must maintain a careful balance between major powers and avoid taking sides. 'The US is the largest investor in our country, and China has been our biggest trading partner for many years,' he said. 'We have to navigate our foreign policy, and even Asean's, in a way that ensures we're not seen as leaning towards any one side.' * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

AI To Unlock Over US$113 Billion for Malaysia, Minister Says
AI To Unlock Over US$113 Billion for Malaysia, Minister Says

BusinessToday

time44 minutes ago

  • BusinessToday

AI To Unlock Over US$113 Billion for Malaysia, Minister Says

The widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in Malaysia is poised to accelerate economic growth and unlock up to US$113.4 billion in productive capacity, according to Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo. Speaking at the High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance during the World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2025 in Shanghai, Gobind highlighted the transformative potential of Generative AI across industries and underscored Malaysia's commitment to inclusive, responsible and collaborative AI development. 'In this AI-shaped era, collaboration is essential because only through shared commitment, innovation and vigilance can we ensure the digital world remains a force for good,' he said. Gobind added that Malaysia supports the Global AI Governance Action Plan and has taken proactive domestic steps, including the creation of the National AI Office in December to drive and coordinate the country's AI strategy. As ASEAN Chair in 2025, Gobind said Malaysia is spearheading the formation of the ASEAN AI Safety Network, a regional platform to promote responsible AI use, foster research cooperation, develop standards and share best practices among member states. 'AI is not just changing industries; it is accelerating global development. And in doing so, it reminds us that the technologies of tomorrow must be built together, across borders, with a shared vision for a better world,' Gobind said, while sharing that Malaysia will also host two major global AI events this year: The inaugural ASEAN AI Malaysia Summit in August and the Smart Cities World Expo Kuala Lumpur in September, aimed at strengthening international dialogue on innovation and digital transformation. Related

Anwar applauded by US for brokering Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire
Anwar applauded by US for brokering Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire

New Straits Times

time5 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

Anwar applauded by US for brokering Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire

KUALA LUMPUR: The United States (US) has commended Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's leadership in brokering the immediate and unconditional ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US applauds the ceasefire declaration between Cambodia and Thailand announced on Monday. "We are grateful to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for his leadership and for hosting the ceasefire talks," he said in a statement released by the State Department late on Monday. Rubio urged Thailand and Cambodia to fully honour their commitments to end the conflict and prevent further escalation along their disputed border. "President Donald Trump and I are committed to an immediate cessation of violence and expect the governments of Cambodia and Thailand to fully honour their commitments to end this conflict." Rubio said the US will remain committed to and engaged in the US-Malaysia-organised process to end the conflict. "We urge all parties to follow through on their commitments," he added. Earlier, a special meeting, brokered by Anwar in his capacity as the current Asean chair, was held at the official residence of the Malaysian prime minister, the Seri Perdana Complex, in Putrajaya. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai attended the special meeting, which began at 3pm. This is their first face-to-face encounter since tensions erupted between the two neighbours on July 24. The meeting lasted nearly two and a half hours. Also in attendance were United States (US) Ambassador to Malaysia, Edgard Kagan, and Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia, Ouyang Yujing. The US was a co-organiser of the meeting, while China was an observer to promote a peaceful resolution to the ongoing situation. At a joint press conference after the meeting, Anwar announced that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire amid rising tensions along their disputed border. The two Southeast Asian neighbours have a long history of diplomatic rows over an 817km undemarcated stretch of their shared border. Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have been simmering since May 28 following a skirmish between their troops near the disputed Preah Vihear border area, which claimed the life of a Cambodian soldier. – Bernama

Thailand thanks regional leaders as ceasefire deal reached with Cambodia
Thailand thanks regional leaders as ceasefire deal reached with Cambodia

New Straits Times

time5 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

Thailand thanks regional leaders as ceasefire deal reached with Cambodia

BANGKOK: Thailand's Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on Monday expressed his gratitude to Malaysia's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the Malaysian government, the government of China, and United States President Donald Trump for their goodwill and concern regarding the ongoing border crisis with Cambodia. Government spokesman Jirayu Huangsap said Phumtham emphasised that the special meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of Malaysia, Cambodia, and Thailand to uphold international law, peaceful coexistence, and multilateral cooperation in seeking a fair and sustainable resolution to the situation. He said that Malaysia, as the current Chair of Asean, would coordinate the establishment of an observer team to monitor and verify compliance with the ceasefire agreement. "Phumtham noted that the discussions reflected Thailand's determination to pursue a peaceful resolution while safeguarding national sovereignty and the lives of its citizens. "Both parties agreed to a ceasefire, along with confidence-building measures to ensure its sincere and effective implementation," Jirayu said in a statement issued following the Special Thailand-Cambodia Meeting held in Putrajaya on Monday. Jirayu said that following the meeting, both sides had agreed to restore direct communication channels between the prime ministers, foreign ministers, and defence ministers of the two countries. Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire amid escalating tensions along their disputed border, following the special meeting chaired by Anwar today. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Phumtham reaffirmed their commitment to de-escalation, agreeing to an immediate ceasefire and a return to normalcy, effective from 2400 hours (local time) on July 28. The two Southeast Asian neighbours have a long-standing history of diplomatic disputes over an 817km undemarcated stretch of their shared border. Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have been rising since May 28, following a skirmish between their troops near the disputed Preah Vihear area, which resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier. The latest round of hostilities erupted on July 24, with armed clashes reported along Cambodia's northern border region, leading to casualties on both sides. – Bernama

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store