Make people-centred Asean a reality from now: Najib

KUALA LUMPUR: The vision of a people-oriented and people-centred Asean has to become a reality from now, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.
He said that even if all 10 Asean members have had remarkable success in keeping the peace among themselves over the last 50 years, they would be judged more by what they did to improve the lives of their citizens over the next 50 years and beyond.
Opening the 31st Asia-Pacific Roundtable here tonight, he noted that of the more than 620 million people in the region, nearly 400 million were youths, young people who would take over the leadership reins in the next decades.
"What will matter to them is that we in this generation do our best to enrich the lives of small- and medium-scale entrepreneurs, improve connectivity, empower women and the marginalised, and ensure that the growth we're forging is inclusive and sustainable so that none of our citizens are left behind, and their future is built on sturdy and lasting foundations," he said.
The text of his speech was read out by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
Najib said that Asean, with all its faultlines, could have gone the way of separation and conflict a long time ago but had instead underscored community, consensus-building and connectivity.
Najib said that the desire for Asean unity was shared but it must never be taken for granted.
"As the larger powers around us jostle and settle into a 'new normal' of relations, Asean's role should be to provide stability and a platform for constructive dialogue," the prime minister said.
He said that one of the most profound and underestimated phenomena that had manifested itself in recent times had been the popular groundswell of disillusionment over the failed promises of globalisation.
"It has been rising for many years, fueled by economic disparity, social marginalisation and political disenfranchisement. In parts of the world, this bitterness has translated into intolerance, bigotry and xenophobia," he told the audience.
The lessons that could be drawn from the experience of the affected countries were important for Southeast Asian nations, Najib said, adding that a state was only as strong as the prosperity and security of its people.
Focusing on Malaysia, Najib said that one of the hallmarks of Malaysia's foreign policy under his government had been the forging of new bonds in the region and beyond, and the strengthening of ties with old friends.
"Ours is a foreign policy that is at the service of, and which benefits, the people of Malaysia while also contributing to the progress of our nation through cooperation with our friends and partners," he said.
He cited the billions of ringgit secured in investments from partners in China, Saudi Arabia and India as among the results of such an approach.
The prime minister said this approach of being open, of extending the hand of friendship, and of being willing to work with others had brought benefits in terms of security as well.
With the theme "The Future of the Asia-Pacific: Issues and Institutions In Flux", the Asia-Pacific Roundtable is convened by the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia and Asean-ISIS network. — Bernama