KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 5 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's chairmanship of ASEAN should be seen as an “opportunity” rather than a cause for scepticism, said Petaling Jaya Member of Parliament and Keadilan’s National Communication Director, Lee Chean Chung.
"Malaysia's chairmanship of ASEAN is something that should be viewed as an opportunity, and I for one am happy to endorse the initiatives of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during this exciting time," he said in a Facebook post responding to a recent opinion piece.
“That's why I was disappointed to read the flimsy reasoning of an academic who delivered a deflating verdict over the start of Malaysia's chairmanship, which follows previous stints in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015,” he said.
Lee dismissed criticism of Malaysia’s role at ASEAN’s helm, stressing that Anwar is set to lead the 10-member bloc under the 2025 theme of ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’.
Key priorities include addressing disputes in the South China Sea and the ongoing crisis in Myanmar.
Malaysia, he noted, will host over 300 key meetings and programmes throughout the year while advancing initiatives in artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy, tourism and healthcare.
He highlighted that in May 2025, Malaysia will host the inaugural ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Plus China Summit.
"Make no mistake, this is an exciting time as our country helps navigate the geopolitical sensitivities and potential of a region home to nearly 700 million citizens.
“Timor-Leste is on the verge of attaining full membership in ASEAN, having actively participated in the grouping's affairs since being granted observer status in 2022,” he said.
On Tuesday (Feb 4), the Ambassador of Timor-Leste to Malaysia, Lisualdo Gaspar, said his country is on the verge of attaining full membership in ASEAN, having fulfilled about 70 per cent of the required criteria.
Assessing the likelihood of full ASEAN membership this year, the ambassador rated it a “7 to 8 out of 10.”
"Joining ASEAN is a top priority for us. We have demonstrated our commitment through tangible progress, and we hope that under Malaysia’s chairmanship, our accession will materialise,” he stressed.
He said this during an interview on the programme The Nation: Diplomatic Dispatch, produced by Bernama TV, here.
Lee also addressed criticism of Anwar’s appointment of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as an ASEAN adviser, calling it an "astute move" given Thaksin's "experience and credentials to help engage on issues in Indochina and Myanmar."
“It is true that many issues need engagement, including democratic developments in some of the most volatile regions of ASEAN.
“The member countries also need to negotiate trade exchanges and navigate global powers such as the US and China as well as situations such as the war in Palestine.
“The prime minister has shown able diplomacy and leadership in these difficult situations,” he said.
Highlighting his ASEAN-related advocacy, Lee cited his participation in the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) Malaysia Members Meeting three months ago.
Along with Subang MP Wong Chen and former Klang MP Charles Santiago, they discussed strategies on "climate change justice, the Myanmar crisis and local progress for fundamental human rights," he added in the post.
He also pointed to APHR’s recent backing of a petition by environmental groups in the Philippines against reclamation projects in Manila Bay. "This is a direct response to the widespread environmental damage and the devastating impact on fisherfolk and coastal communities," he said.
As deputy chair of the Southeast Asia Parliamentarians Against Corruption (SEAPAC), Lee stressed the need for stronger regional cooperation to combat corruption.
"Overall, I am happy to contribute to advancing human rights, anti-corruption efforts, and environmental justice in this region," he said, urging Malaysians to adopt a positive outlook.
"I also call upon our citizens to see this as a great opportunity instead of leaping to overtly negative conclusions," he concluded.
Under Malaysia’s current leadership, the country is expected to guide discussions on regional security, economic cooperation, and diplomacy while shaping ASEAN’s long-term vision.
-- BERNAMA
