Kuala Lumpur: The outstanding efficiency, unwavering dedication, and seamless teamwork demonstrated by all parties involved were the main factors in Malaysia’s success as the host of the 46th ASEAN Summit recently, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said everything went smoothly as a result of the extraordinary commitment from the government machinery, including the people who understood Malaysia’s needs in organising the summit.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar highlighted the exceptional efforts of various entities, from airport personnel to government departments, in ensuring the summit’s success. “I saw at all levels, our children, civil servants, all of them were great. From the airport, the parade, the police, immigration, MAHB (Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd), the management at the hotel, the Foreign Ministry, which coordinated, to the Prime Minister’s Department, which managed the protocol,” he stated during his address at the Prime Minister’s Department monthly assembly.
The 46th ASEAN Summit concluded on May 27 after a series of high-level meetings aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and strategic partnerships. During the two-day summit, ASEAN leaders participated in several important meetings, including the 2nd ASEAN-GCC Summit, the first ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, and the 16th Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) Summit.
Anwar also emphasized the importance of cooperation among ASEAN leaders in making collective decisions without compromising the interests of their respective countries. He pointed out the need for a unified approach in dealing with international challenges, such as US tariffs, while ensuring the protection of ASEAN’s population of over 650 million.
Malaysia, as the ASEAN Chairmanship 2025 with the theme ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’, hosted the 46th ASEAN Summit, marking the fifth time the country has held the chairmanship after 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015. Anwar expressed his pride in Malaysia’s ability to host one of the most substantive conferences in ASEAN history, evidenced by the depth of discussions and the issuance of strong joint statements.
Through a Facebook post, Anwar shared that Malaysia successfully signed the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045, symbolizing the country’s capability to plan a 20-year strategic vision for the region. He also noted progress in areas such as the digital economy, green investments, social inclusion, and enhanced regional cooperation with the GCC and China, reflecting ASEAN’s unity and readiness to advance with renewed determination.