Analysts commend Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship achievements including Timor-Leste membership, peace accord, and strengthened US relations.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has demonstrated strong regional leadership through its successful hosting of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, according to political analysts.
Universiti Teknologi MARA senior lecturer Dr Muhamad Fuad Abdul Karim said Malaysia maintained consistent messaging anchored in regional neutrality principles.
“Malaysia not only focuses on its own national development but also helps drive progress among other ASEAN countries,” he told Bernama TV.
Key achievements included the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord between Thailand and Cambodia and Timor-Leste’s admission as ASEAN’s 11th member.
The next challenge involves implementing summit agreements through regional consensus, particularly in economic and technological cooperation.
Muhamad Fuad suggested Petronas could assist less developed ASEAN nations like Timor-Leste and Myanmar with specific development projects.
He described US President Donald Trump’s participation as positively impacting regional perception.
“Trump is like an ‘influencer’ for ASEAN,” he noted, highlighting the warm reception’s demonstration of Southeast Asia’s cultural richness.
Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia professor Dr Farha Abdol Ghapar praised Malaysia’s organisational efficiency despite speculation surrounding Trump’s attendance.
“I’m impressed that everything went smoothly despite many negative remarks,” she said, crediting the Prime Minister’s calm management.
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia fellow Dr Muhamad Azwan Abd Rahman said Trump’s visit opened new bilateral relations chapters through reciprocal agreements.
“Malaysia did not win everything, but neither did it lose badly,” he observed, citing semiconductor sector advancements and maintained tariffs below 19% for over 1,700 products.
Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia chairman Datuk Prof Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah described the summit as a major success across multiple aspects.
“The achievements are not only in terms of logistics, but more importantly, in the outcomes,” he told Bernama, noting strengthened ASEAN’s global voice as the world’s fourth-largest economy. – Bernama
