PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will make a return trip to Manila on Nov 17 to attend a special ASEAN-United States summit after receiving French President Emmanuel Macron in Kuala Lumpur earlier that day.
Anwar will lead Malaysia's delegation to the 49th ASEAN Summit and related meetings in the Philippine capital from Nov 15 to 17, in a programme involving 10 summits, three engagement sessions and several ministerial meetings.
Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Datuk Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino Anthony said Anwar's schedule would include engagements with ASEAN dialogue partners, alongside discussions on regional political and security, economic and socio-cultural issues.
“However, the Prime Minister is scheduled to depart for Manila again on the afternoon of the same day to attend the ASEAN-United States Special Summit and a dinner hosted by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr,” he told Malaysian media in Manila.
Anwar will be accompanied by his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
On Nov 15, Anwar is scheduled to attend the plenary and retreat sessions of the 49th ASEAN Summit, as well as engagement sessions with the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, ASEAN Business Advisory Council and ASEAN youth representatives.
The following day, he will attend ASEAN summits with China, the United Nations, Australia and South Korea before returning to Malaysia in the afternoon.
Abdul Malik said Mohamad would lead Malaysia's delegation to several meetings on Nov 17 during Anwar's absence, including the 29th ASEAN Plus Three Summit, the fourth Asia Zero Emission Community Leaders' Meeting, the ASEAN-Japan Summit, ASEAN-India Summit and 21st East Asia Summit.
Anwar is also scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with ASEAN leaders on the sidelines of the gatherings.
The summit programme will be preceded by four ministerial meetings on Nov 14, including an extended informal consultation on the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting, the 32nd ASEAN Political-Security Community Council Meeting and the 39th ASEAN Coordinating Council Meeting.
Abdul Malik said Malaysia's participation was crucial to safeguarding its national interests and strengthening its role in shaping ASEAN's future direction. - November 14, 2026
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