Malaysia leads Asean to peace, trade and unity with Trump in the room
Despite the progress, the bloc remains fragmented, Washington’s protectionist stance continues to loom, and much work still lies ahead
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[KUALA LUMPUR] Once dismissed as a “talk shop” of cautious consensus, Asean this year found its voice, with Malaysia giving it a stage at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
Under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s chairmanship, the regional bloc delivered long-overdue results, including expanding its ranks, mediating peace and reaffirming its centrality in a world fractured by rivalry and protectionism.
Chief among them was the formal admission of Timor-Leste as Asean’s 11th member, fulfilling a decade-old commitment and reflecting the grouping’s continued inclusivity.
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