THERE is a need for Malaysians to buy into the reimaging of the ASEAN grouping as a region for mutual prosperity and to cement its geo-political strengths as the globe's fifth largest economy collectively said a former PKR International Bureau head.
Yusmadi Yusoff, who now leads the listed Encorp Berhad Group, said that Malaysia as a founding member of the regional bloc, has much to contribute when it takes over the grouping chairmanship for next year's term.
Malaysia will officially assume the mantle on January 1 but it is beginning to promote its strategies at the current 44th ASEAN Summit currently held at Laos.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has outlined three strategies for ASEAN when his nation takes over the grouping’s chairmanship.
They are bolstering trade and investment linkages and to foster digital transformation.
Speaking at the summit, the Tambun MP also said that the other two strategies are strengthening member countries’ fundamentals and reinventing, restructuring and recalibrating their economies by leveraging each other’s strengths.
“(ASEAN) needs to redraw and secure the regional supply chain and its linkages to the global economy. I believe there is vast potential for enhancement, particularly so with the upgrading of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) to be signed in 2025."
Analysing the country's grip on ASEAN, Yusmadi reminded that Anwar is a regional-centric prime minister, who believes in becoming a good bordering country while also in the fundamental approach of prospering thy neighbour.
"It was Anwar who helped bring Vietnam into ASEAN," Yusmadi said in an interview, as the grouping is looking to expand by including East Timor-Leste soon into its fold.
Yusmadi said that Anwar is trying to reimagine ASEAN for Malaysians by showcasing that the region can be a prime location for economic activities besides the traditional trading nations such as China, India, USA, Europe, Australia or New Zealand.
He also stressed on a need to tackle cyber crimes with reports that ASEAN members Myanmar and Cambodia have the presence of illegal call centres for online scams.
"Even when he was in the Opposition, Anwar was consistent on the need for Malaysia to become a good neighbour and he believes in the region."
According to Yusmadi, ASEAN officials should emulate the leadership traits of the late Surin Pitsuwan, a former Thai diplomat and politician who served as the 12th secretary-general of ASEAN from 2008 to 2012.
"Surin reflected strong leadership when faced with geo-political conditions and the spirit of ASEAN prevailed with him."
ASEAN is also a strategic growth area despite the geo-political tension backdrop of the South China Sea where the grouping strong diplomatic skills would be up to test as it engages with economic powerhouses such as South Korea, China, Japan and the USA.
"I think Anwar through his new leadership initiatives such as migration into the digital era and locating new investors would make the region attractive to the world."
Historically, ASEAN is inherently attractive with maritime trade, goods production, logistics and tourism underpinning the growth with the rest of the world, but now there is a need to diversify its base when faced with new challenges post-Covid-19, he said. - October 10, 2024.
