PM Anwar's Credibility Key Factor In Bringing ASEAN's Voice To Global Stage

By Muhammad Faiz Baharin

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 27 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s credibility and personality will be a key factor in proving Malaysia's capability as the ASEAN Chair to enhance the bloc's image and subsequently bring its voice to the global stage.

A professor at the Department of Communication, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Prof Datuk Seri Dr Syed Arabi Idid, said that Anwar possesses all the necessary skills to lead ASEAN, thereby strengthening the collective voice of the bloc and elevating it to a higher level.

“The Prime Minister has excellent public speaking skills, is highly proficient in English, and is supported by Malaysia’s capabilities as a member of the Commonwealth and the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation).

“Therefore, Anwar can leverage Malaysia’s history of strong ties as a member of both the Commonwealth and OIC to benefit ASEAN as a whole,” he said in a special interview with Bernama today.

At the 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Summit in Davos, Switzerland, from Jan 20 to 24, Anwar, who is also the Minister of Finance, for the first time as ASEAN Chair, delivered a joint statement on behalf of the 10-nation bloc, touching on challenges, potential, and the freedom to make decisions.

On Malaysia’s role as ASEAN Chair in strengthening the bloc’s direction, Syed Arabi said that, in addition to continuing previous plans and decisions, several other aspects could be enhanced, including promoting ASEAN’s image as a neutral bloc with business potential.

“In addition to continuing good cooperation with China, ASEAN can also show its stance towards the new administration of the United States under President Donald J. Trump.

“We can present ASEAN as a unit that the United States needs, because, in terms of security, we are neutral, and we also have investment potential with a population of nearly 700 million,” he said.

Syed Arabi also shared findings from a survey conducted by the IIUM Electoral Studies Research Unit, which revealed that 94 per cent of Malaysians are proud of the country’s responsibility as ASEAN Chair.

The survey titled Public Perception on Current Issues shared with Bernama, involved 5,488 respondents from various age groups, genders, ethnicities, income levels, and educational backgrounds, with 80 per cent of them found to be interested in learning about ASEAN-related matters.

Meanwhile, Institute of Public Relation Malaysia (IPRM) president Jaffri Amin Osman said that the ASEAN Chairmanship period should be leveraged to move Malaysia, specifically, forward.

“I also believe that the private sector, including business companies, entrepreneurs, and universities, can play a role in further promoting ASEAN in this country, thereby taking advantage of the existing opportunities to become part of the ASEAN landscape,” he said.

Laos handed over the ASEAN Chairmanship to Malaysia on Oct 11 last year during the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Meetings in Vientiane.

Malaysia, which has adopted the theme ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’, officially assumed the ASEAN Chairmanship starting Jan 1 this year.

Founded on Aug 8, 1967, ASEAN is currently comprised of 10 Southeast Asian countries namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Timor-Leste's accession to ASEAN is still in process.

-- BERNAMA