In recent years, Southeast Asia has grappled with unprecedented challenges that have strained the unity and effectiveness of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Heightened geopolitical tensions, persistent divisions over the crisis in Myanmar, and slow progress on a binding Code of Conduct for the South China Sea have exposed the bloc’s limitations in navigating complex regional dynamics.
Against this backdrop, Malaysia’s turn at the helm of ASEAN arrives at a pivotal moment to confront these challenges. Issues of trust, cohesion and relevance are central to ASEAN’s current challenges. As a founding member of the bloc, Malaysia’s turn as chair has been highly anticipated to forge greater unity while steering the bloc against the pressures of great power rivalry, which will likely be further complicated with the incoming second Trump administration in the United States.
How Malaysia manages this role will set the momentum for the next two chairs in 2026 and 2027: the Philippines and Singapore, both also founding members of ASEAN. Malaysia’s leadership will be critical in establishing a strong foundation for successive chairs to bolster the bloc’s cohesion and relevance at a time of great upheaval.
In this vein, Malaysia has unveiled the theme of its chairmanship as “Inclusivity and Sustainability.” It reflects Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s philosophy of nationhood, Madani, which calls for a just and inclusive society. In the domestic context, it envisions the bold intent to elevate Malaysia’s standing as a prosperous nation and provide a voice of moral clarity. Madani places good governance and people-led growth at the heart of its philosophy, and is guided by a values-based approach through the six core values of sustainability, prosperity, innovation, respect, trust, and compassion.
Amplifying it to the regional context, Anwar envisions the philosophy of Madani as a guiding force for ASEAN, aiming to restore its global standing and enhance effective governance to ensure the “sustainability” of the bloc. The emphasis on “inclusivity” is also crucial at this juncture, given the current divisions that risk alienating member states and undermining confidence in ASEAN. The principles of respect, trust, and compassion are sorely needed to rebuild a cohesive and unified region.
The ASEAN 2025 logo visually reflects this ethos, as the inward-curving petals of the bunga raya (hibiscus flower) symbolize a call for member states (and dialogue partners) to turn inward toward regionalism, unity, and above all, to uphold ASEAN centrality.