New Faces Bring Fresh Perspectives To ASEAN - Analysts

By N. Kuvineshwaren

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 (Bernama) -- The 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits are set to take on renewed momentum with the participation of several newly appointed leaders and invited guests, marking a significant phase in the regional bloc’s evolving partnerships.

Japan, Thailand and Canada will be represented by their new prime ministers, while South Africa and Brazil will attend as Guests of the Chair, reflecting ASEAN’s broader engagement with partners beyond the Asia-Pacific region.

Head of Universiti Malaya’s Department of International and Strategic Studies at the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Associate Professor Dr Roy Anthony Rogers said the new leaders are expected to bring fresh perspectives but not drastic policy changes towards ASEAN.

He said the leaders will likely continue the policies laid down by their predecessors, adding that any adjustments would be gradual rather than immediate.

“Moreover, they have just taken over in less than six months. Therefore, it is too early to comment on potential changes, perhaps after a year we can notice possible shifts,” he told Bernama.

Roy said the participation of South Africa and Brazil represents a new initiative under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship to expand engagement with other groupings such as the Gulf Cooperation Council and BRICS.

National Council of Professors Fellow Prof Dr Azmi Hassan said Thailand’s new Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul brings a pro-business and pragmatic approach that could benefit the country’s economy and strengthen ties with the United States (US).

He said Anutin’s leadership is expected to provide short-term stability and continuity, allowing Thailand to maintain investor confidence while preparing for the next phase of political transition.

Regarding Japan, Azmi said the newly appointed Sanae Takaichi is expected to pursue a more assertive foreign policy, describing her as more hawkish than her predecessor, Shigeru Ishiba.

“Takaichi’s approach resembles that of the late Shinzo Abe - strong on defence and likely to strengthen Japan-US ties,” he said, adding that she may also seek a new trade deal with Washington to improve tariffs on Japanese steel and vehicle exports.

Takaichi, a 64-year-old conservative known as Japan’s “Iron Lady” and an admirer of former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, has made history by winning the vote to become the country’s first female prime minister in her third attempt, marking Japan’s fourth leadership change in five years.

The Liberal Democratic Party president was elected following the party’s agreement with the Japan Innovation Party to form a coalition government.

Meanwhile, associate professor at the Centre for Indo-Pacific Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, Dr Rahul Mishra said all three leaders are strong figures with a zeal to reorient their respective countries’ foreign and security policies.

“They have played significant roles in supporting ASEAN’s internal cohesion and external engagements,” he said, adding that Takaichi’s role in bolstering Japan’s security presence in the Indo-Pacific will be particularly interesting to watch.

On Thailand, Rahul said as one of ASEAN’s founding members, the country’s new leadership is expected to usher in greater domestic stability, enhance its external engagements, and position Bangkok to assume a more active role in addressing the Myanmar crisis.

The senior research fellow at the German-Southeast Asian Centre of Excellence for Public Policy and Good Governance at Thammasat University, Thailand, said that Anutin’s business-friendly approach and proven leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic would add value to ASEAN’s integration efforts.

“ASEAN’s outreach efforts are timely considering the growing momentum in BRICS solidarity. These new faces are likely to bring in more vigour and strength to ASEAN’s intra- and inter-regional cooperation,” he said.

South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa will make a four-day official visit to Malaysia from Oct 24 to 27 at the invitation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, while Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will also attend the summit as Guest of the Chair.

Brazil became an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner in 2022 and remains its only partner from Latin America.

-- BERNAMA