Malaysia will not be drawn into any "great power rivalries" and will reject economic coercion or unilateral actions that undermine regional stability, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Speaking at the China Conference Southeast Asia 2025 on Monday (Feb 17), the Prime Minister stressed that Asean must broaden its global engagement beyond traditional partners to strengthen its economic resilience.
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Speaking at the China Conference Southeast Asia 2025 on Monday (Feb 17), the Prime Minister stressed that Asean must broaden its global engagement beyond traditional partners to strengthen its economic resilience.
Read more at https://tinyurl.com/5n9279wn
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NewsTranscript
00:00Now Malaysia's position is clear, we remain non-aligned and in the ASEAN major thrust
00:17in our foreign policy is the principle of centrality to ensure that we remain fiercely
00:24independent to be able to engage with all countries, traditional partners in the West
00:32and the new emerging force particularly China in the East together with the other countries
00:38in Asia.
00:40We reject economic coercion and unilateral actions that undermine the regional stability.
00:48We support a rules-based multilateral system that ensures fairness, transparency and representation
00:56for all, particularly the global South.
01:00ASEAN must also expand its global engagement beyond traditional partners.
01:06ASEAN is a trading group of trading nations and that's precisely the reason why we have
01:13now expanded to, for example, the Gulf Cooperation Council and we will be hosting the ASEAN
01:22GCC conference in May this year and of course China will be an important player in this regard.
01:31And there's of course BRICS and other emerging economies, it is about ensuring ASEAN's strategic
01:39relevance in a multipolar world.
01:43Now by diversifying its partnership, ASEAN can enhance its economic resilience, tap into
01:51new investment opportunities and play a more proactive role in shaping global governance frameworks.
02:01Now Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, ASEAN's economic resilience will depend on how effectively
02:08we navigate three critical challenges.
02:12First, supply chain disruptions and diversification.
02:17ASEAN must become a reliable hub for global trade and investment by reducing vulnerabilities
02:24and to external shocks.
02:27Strengthening our industrial base through investments in advanced manufacturing, semiconductors
02:35and green technologies will be essential.
02:39Second, energy security and sustainability.
02:43I made reference earlier to the ASEAN energy grid and renewable energy investments that
02:50will be central to ensuring that economic growth is climate conscious and long-term oriented.
02:57Malaysia's target of 70% renewable energy by 2050 will serve as a benchmark for ASEAN's
03:04broader sustainability efforts.
03:09Third, the digital economy and artificial intelligence.
03:14The ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement must serve as a catalyst for regional transformation
03:23by prioritising AI governance, cyber security and digital inclusivity.
03:30To ensure that all ASEAN Member States can fully harness the benefits of technological
03:36advancement, we must establish common standards for data protection, facilitate seamless cross-border
03:45digital trade, and invest in capacity-building initiatives that bridge the digital divide.
03:52By fostering a secure, innovative and inclusive digital ecosystem, ASEAN can position itself
04:01at the forefront of the global digital economy, driving sustainable growth and shared prosperity
04:10in collaboration with our friends in Hong Kong, China and beyond.