HOLDING OUR GROUND: SOUTHEAST ASIA IN A FRACTURED WORLD

SPEECH BY THE HONOURABLE DATO’ SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA AT THE SHANGRI-LA DIALOGUE 31 MAY 2025

SINGAPORE

This gathering has become an essential forum where ideas are tested, assumptions challenged, and common ground quietly built.

Today, I would like to speak about how Southeast Asia is holding its ground – through cooperation, collective resilience, and the steady exercise of our own agency.

One example is the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, an economic partnership designed to boost investment, innovation and connectivity between Singapore and southern Malaysia. In a world increasingly shaped by fractures and fault lines, we aim to offer a different kind of border: one defined not by division, but by shared purpose.

ASEAN: Built to Endure, Poised to Evolve

If this Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone is a glimpse of what cooperation can achieve at the bilateral level, then ASEAN is the wider canvas.

The 46^th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur held last week was substantive and productive. We adopted the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045, a 20-year roadmap to knit our region closer together, with jobs, connectivity and sustainability at its core. This is the kind of groundwork on which lasting security is built.

We made the historic decision to admit Timor-Leste as ASEAN’s 11^th member, with formal admission expected at the next Summit in October.

The situation in Myanmar remains grave, but we are not standing still. ASEAN does not seek to engineer outcomes in Myanmar. But we are equally clear that the Five-Point Consensus dictates that a resolution that excludes those most affected by this crisis will not endure. Myanmar’s nationhood must be forged through inclusion, not erasure.

Beyond our borders, ASEAN is widening its strategic aperture. The ASEAN-GCC Summit deepened ties with the Gulf. This week’s launch of the ASEAN-GCC-China trilateral initiative, unprecedented and momentous, reflects our intent to connect ASEAN’s energy and talent with the Gulf’s capital and China’s scale. New tools, like the ASEAN Geoeconomics Task Force, are helping us navigate external shocks with sharper coordination and foresight.

And while such headlines matter, the real strength lies in what happens beneath them. Or what happens within us as in what Tocqueville describes as “the habits of the heart”, rituals that helped to establish and sustain democratic institutions with a coherent moral ethos.

And that gives us “habits of cooperation” – trade facilitation, cybersecurity frameworks, cross-border data rules, cultural cooperation. They may not be as dramatic, but they are no less vital, for they give Southeast Asia greater impetus to act together. And the more we act together, the harder it becomes to be pulled apart by external gravity.

Preserving our autonomy is not about resisting others. It is about strengthening ourselves. This, in essence, is what ASEAN Centrality is about.

Economic Openness and Strategic Stability

 That same spirit shaped the ASEAN leaders’ statement on global economic and trade uncertainty. We warned of the dangers of unilateral actions, retaliatory tariffs and the growing risk of global fragmentation. We

affirmed ASEAN’s commitment to an open, predictable and rules-based trading system – not because it is expedient, but because it is existential.

Southeast Asia is not new to globalisation. We are one of its original crossroads. From the trade routes of the Malaccan Sultanate, Majapahit empires, and the Kingdoms across Southeast Asia, to the data centres of today, our region has long depended on openness. – to goods, capital, ideas and people. This openness has anchored our prosperity, stabilised our politics and strengthened regional cohesion. What holds true for us holds true elsewhere: when trade flourishes, stability follows. When it falters, the consequences ripple far beyond any one region.

Economic openness is not just about creating prosperity and growth. It is a source of equilibrium, both between nations and within them, to deal with pressing issues that affect the people, such as poverty, social inequities, or even digital divide. Open markets create the kind of mutual exposure between nations that encourages caution, not confrontation.

And when this system is disrupted, markets lose their bearings. Investor confidence wavers while financial flows seize up. What began as a commercial rupture becomes a systemic shock. History reminds us that these shifts are rarely gradual.

This commitment reflects the realities we face every day – as open, export-driven economies deeply connected to global markets. For countries like ours, fragmented trade raises costs, lowers resilience and depresses investment. Currency volatility and investor flight do not

respect borders. And disruptions in energy, food or critical minerals cascade quickly through societies.

The point is not that globalisation has been perfect. It hasn’t. But it has created shared interests that restrain rash decisions. In today’s fractured landscape, that kind of restraint is more valuable than ever.

In Defence of Restraint

Ladies and gentlemen,

All this talk about trade does not mean we are oblivious to the hard security challenges facing our region. Voltaire famously observed that “optimism is the madness of insisting that all is well when we are miserable.” This is, undeniably, a sobering moment in history. The number of armed conflicts is now at its highest since the end of the Second World War, from the war in Ukraine and the genocide in Gaza, to civil strife in Myanmar, Sudan and the Sahel.

We must not allow selective outrage or strategic fatigue to dull our moral clarity. Indeed, the genocide in Gaza is a test of our collective conscience. The scale of devastation, the open defiance of humanitarian norms, and the paralysis of institutions meant to uphold them demand more than sympathy. They demand consistency and action.

The new orthodoxy affects not just how we view diplomacy, but how we structure security. If persuasion is dismissed as weakness, then exclusivity becomes strategy.

We do not object to like-minded partners talking amongst themselves. But coalitions that build walls instead of bridges, stoke arms competition, or undermine the legitimacy of multilateralism should give us pause. A stable region is not one braced for conflict, but one grounded in openness, transparency, and habit-forming cooperation.

Nevertheless, we understand that nations need a degree of control over their defence industries and critical infrastructure. We recognise that a measure of deterrence helps keep all parties honest. It is with that realism in mind that Malaysia adopts a posture of active non-alignment, to preserve our ability to act on our own terms. It is a deliberate way to remain outward-facing, connected, and in control of our strategic space.

The suggestion that if we do not align fully with one side, then we must have capitulated to the other, is untenable. Nowhere is this more evident than in the prevailing discourse on the South China Sea where the dispute is far too complex. Our objective is not achieved through escalation – nor by provoking others into disproportionate responses. It is best pursued through steady, principled diplomacy: quiet, where necessary, but always firm.

Malaysia remains deeply concerned about the potential for escalation among the claimants in the South China Sea. We have no interest in seeing tensions spiral into confrontation – least of all in waters so critical to our own security and prosperity. That is why we will continue to engage all parties calmly, directly and consistently. We will urge restraint, encourage dialogue, and work to preserve the stability on which this region depends. Above all, we remain steadfast in our principled insistence that all parties uphold the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Preserving Strategic Autonomy

Ladies and gentlemen,

Malaysia does not believe in spheres of influence. History has shown that when major powers attempt to divide the world into exclusive zones of control, smaller nations are often left voiceless. Stability does not come from carving up the map, but from creating space for all to participate meaningfully in shaping the order we live in.

Our approach is one of active non-alignment. We will engage all who are willing – major powers and middle powers alike – not to set one against the other, but to maximise our own strategic space. Indeed, while we welcome a strong and enduring US presence in the region, towards fostering peace, we also value our vibrant and firm ties with China, and our robust partnerships across Asia, Europe and the Global South.

What Southeast Asia needs is a dynamic equilibrium that enables cooperation without coercion, and balance without bloc politics. For Malaysia, this is a deliberate and strategic posture: to help preserve an open region, to assert our sovereignty, and to make our own choices – on our own terms.

Thank you.

SPEECH BY

YAB DATO’ SERI ANWAR IBRAHIM

PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA

LAUNCHING CEREMONY OF

ESTEEL ENTERPRISE SABAH SDN BHD

PHASE 1 PROJECT

30 MAY 2025 (FRIDAY) | 10.00 AM

SIPITANG OIL & GAS INDUSTRIAL PARK (SOGIP), SABAH

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh dan walam sejahtera.

Salam Kaamatan Toinsanan.

Semangat Kaamatan.

Saudara saya Ketua Menteri, YAB Datuk Seri Panglima Hj Hajiji Haji Noor;

Timbalan Ketua Menteri;

Menteri Pembangunan Usahawan Dan Koperasi, YB Datuk Ewon Benedick;

Menteri Perdagangan Dalam Negeri Dan Kos Sara Hidup, YB Datuk Armizan bin Mohd Ali;

Menteri-menteri Negeri Sabah, Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri dan rakan-rakan;

Chairman of Esteel Enterprise Sabah, Saudara You Zhenhua;

Chairman of Sabah Oil and Gas Development Corporation, YBhg. Datuk Seri Panglima Abdul Rahman;

Dan rakan-rakan.

1. Kita rasa bangga kerana kita dapat menyaksikan satu bentuk pelaburan baru yang besar dan ini memang dimungkinkan kerana sistem politik negara yang stabil, yang menyebabkan ada keyakinan. Dan kedua, kerana ada dasar yang menggalakkan pelaburan yang memberikan insentif, yang menjadikan Malaysia dan Sabah menarik untuk meyakini pelabur. Dan ketiga, cabaran yang sangat penting ialah cara kita, dari Menteri-menterinya, Setiausaha Kerajaan Negerinya dan penjawat awam keseluruhannya, perbandaran – menjalankan dengan cekap dan telus untuk meyakinkan pelabur bahawa tidak ada satu kerenah birokrasi yang menghalang dan menghambat kepesatan pelaksanaan projek.

2. So, I extend my profound and sincere appreciation to Esteel Enterprise Sabah for its decision and commitment to invest in Sabah and in the process, of course, showcase their confidence in the stability of the political system, clarity of policies, precisely economic policies and the effective execution in terms of approvals of the project at the ground level. These are the three criteria that is considered the precondition to ensure that the country is succeed.

3. We are living in a very competitive environment. We are facing, for example, the unprecedented and also unanticipated tariff announced by President Donald Trump. But let us view this positively. Number one, of course, we have to look at negotiations because the United States remain one of the important investors into Malaysia. Cumulatively, there is the highest investment into Malaysia and we continue to have good relations with the United States.

4. Admiral Samuel J. Paparo of the United States Indo-Pacific Command met me yesterday in Putrajaya and tomorrow Secretary of Defence of United States requested for a meeting with me in Singapore, I was asked by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to address the Singapore’s Shangri-La Dialogue, which means we continue to maintain good relations because we are a trading nation.

5. Our Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) Minister, YB Senator Datuk Seri Utama Tengku Zafrul and the team went to the United States to negotiate. In our case, that we had an engagement with all ASEAN countries within a common position and together with Korea, Japan and China to support the position for Malaysia to remain steadfast supporting multilateral trading system and to reject any unilateral actions. Notwithstanding, the solution should be negotiations while firming the principles of fair rule based, multilateral trading arrangements.

6. At the same time, we in ASEAN has gone further. I of course thank all the Ministries, Officers, the private sector, the hotel, the workers, the drivers who made it possible, successful 46^th ASEAN Summit for last few days. And this gives a lot of satisfaction, alhamdulillah.

7. The Malaysia can showcase its ability to organize international conference not only efficiently and successfully but in terms of substantive decisions, we would register something phenomenal in this 46^th ASEAN Summit. So, I wish them thank you to all those who supported.

8. At the same time, this is again the first time when ASEAN was able to attract the richest Arab countries, the GCC – Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman to come to Kuala Lumpur and committed to having a synergy of collaboration into the trade, investments and diplomatic relations to cement their relations by focusing on economic advancement in energy transition, in digital transformation and Artificial Intelligence and, of course, food security. And again, it is the first time in ASEAN they will could do it.

9. And following that as ASEAN, GCC and China.Last month, we received President Xi Jinping who gave his support and commitment for enhanced, comprehensive strategic partnership with Malaysia. And this week, we had Premier Li Qiang who become a personal friend of mine, who came and represented China in the discussion with ASEAN and GCC. That is why I always remind and reiterate this point to our friends, including now Saudi Arabia that the political stability, relations and respect for all communities that after all, Allah SWT has exalted the children of Adam.

10. Many tribes and the race, agreed not to sow discord but to establish that human respect and trust to know and appreciate one another according to the Quranic term; ‘lita’arafu’. It is essential and those of us being Prime Minister or Ministers or Chief Minister were entrusted the authority and ‘amanah’ for leadership, must use this to introduce with clarity policies that will benefit the people through good governance and clarity of policies that will be able to attract investments domestically and foreign direct investments.

11. For those of you who were entrusted as officers at all levels must be efficient. We don’t compare to the weakest of nations. We don’t compare to countries with poor growth. We compare to the best. There is no reason why some or Malaysia, cannot aim for the best. And the best means leaders with conviction, tenacity of purpose, with discipline, good governance, clarity of policies and love and affection for their people in the state and in the federation.

12. The federal government remains fully committed is supporting initiative by the states. This includes what is considered our priority for included the USD or the UN is standable roles. What more, Esteel as an added attraction is agreed upon, is committed to training or discussing with the chairman and I said the focus must be now, training our young Sabahans, in universities, in TVET institutions and the state and the federal agencies should be more flexible, allowing them to enter these events, take over some of this program and train them now. So that when they graduate with the certificate, it may not be a formal certificate by the Ministry, it may be a certificate by the company and coming from Esteel, is as good or at time, better than some of our departments.

13. Let them handle the training. Let them make sure that the training meets the standards and also the requirements of that particular industry. If they want 200 people from a particular TVET or university to work in the company or in the industry, let them train now. So, that there will not be a mismatch between what is being trained by the education centers and what is required by the industry. So, they should be given that flexibility.

14. In Kulim Hi-Tech, in Johor-Singapore Economic Zone, in Lembah Klang. We have told the industries and universities, colleges, to work in tandem, collaborate to ensure that the training needs the requirement of the industries. I mentioned to the chairman, get your staff, go to a particular institution, IPTA or whatever and recommend this and I must remind the Ministries, no compromise. Don’t give, you know, some bureaucratic, technical, you think about future of your students and they will be better served in the industry. Train these people for their requirements. If they need to be sent to either Kuala Lumpur or China, then come back as qualified engineers or technicians. To get it done and no excuses to not be accepted. That’s what we mean by inclusive growth.

15. What the Malaysian strategy in the ASEAN 2025, inclusivity. We think everybody. That’s why I’m here out of respect for Kaamatan this year, this is the separate program. To me, I told Chief Minister Hajiji that I come all the way and was given this honor and there’s no harm to contribute. That’s what we mean by inclusivity, by respect, by MADANI it means you respect and you show appreciation. That is precisely the reason why I think that we need to encourage this spirit. Don’t listen, you can listen at the thing some of these people desperate. They only talk about divisions, negative. That is the problem, psychological problem.

16. We pick on small issue, look at it. Look at Malaysia today, look at how ASEAN gives us the respect. Look at the GCC countries, the Emir of Qatar, the Prime Minister, countries like Kuwait and the rest come all the way just to showcase they are willing to be in Malaysia.

17. However, with ASEAN, invest in this country, have confidence in our policies. Look at China. Can you imagine any other country? Well last month the President comes and now this week the Premier. I mean, Malaysia’s relatively small emerging economy we are able to attract big power not because of Anwar, not because of chief minister. No, because we are a people united, peaceful, and focused on economic advancement and welfare for our people. That is precisely the reason.

18. So, in ensuring the success as the Chairman, I want to remind you that of course training is one, but make sure you have a role for the locals. Subcontractors, vendors, whatever agents, no commission agents, I mean, to work. Because it’s an important industry. It’s a border for sustainable development and yet again, what is the theme offer ASEAN this year for Malaysia? “Inclusivity and sustainability” and this project Green Project covers that sustainability or showcases as a model of sustainable.

19. So again, this is something very exciting for me to support and I must commend, you have worked together, discussed, argued, made demands just reasonable, accommodated one another based on trust, and built this country together.

20. I mean the same as I said as Petronas is working. Yeah, we have resolved a very difficult controversy. The issue is Sarawak, Petronas-Petros a win-win solution. Some people say, “Oh no no, they gain nothing.” They gain only in the shouting, using all these technical arguments to show that they are the champion of the Sabahans. When they are given the power, they entrust your power. They can only give timber and concessions and money but when they are out of power talking about politics they come for the people.

21. We judge people from the action, not mere promises. So, I believe that Sabahans should be matured enough to understand Sabah has to be competitive, focused on the economy. Sabah must focus with all its resources to ensure that you do train, upskill workers, and make the necessary adjustments.

22. You see, I speak this passion, I believe in this. Whatever is being said politically, we continue to have problems and purposes it doesn’t matter, every action is being with them. This morning, I explained about the so-called video which circulated after that and now I’m saying, anything they come and say, “Well, Anwar is only talking about the interest of semenanjung, not Sabah. What else do you want us to do? Engage with us, work as a team. The Federal Federation will only work if we are able to work with all the states including Sabah and Sarawak. Sabah can only succeed if we work and collaborate closely engage and benefit from your engagement with the Federal Government. We don’t want to win just by exhortations or isolation. We win through good engagement in getting things done.

23. I mentioned to the Chairman that we have not move, there is a moratorium steel industry being approved. But why came for Sabah? because number one, it’s green. Number two, it’s less capacity demand for Sabah, Sarawak, Kalimantan and their capacity is a big giant steel company to be able to export.

24. So, some company in Semenanjung would say, “Well, Anwar is discriminating against Malaya and favouring Sabah.” This sort of narrative and political gaming will continue but we decide what is best for the country. We decide what is best, which means no more new steel licensing in this country. We decide, yes, there should be one in Sabah and that’s how we govern this country.

25. So, thank you again, I don’t know what that he gave me last night. There’s a special tenom coffee but thank you again for collaboration Petronas is giving full focus on petroleum skills, PETRONAS Petroleum Skills Institute. That would be the insinuate, because the requirement although that is mainly for the oil and gas sector.

26. So, thank you Ketua Menteri, Hajiji, Chairman and thank you to the state for working together.

Terima kasih.

TEKS UCAPAN

YAB DATO’ SERI ANWAR BIN IBRAHIM

PERDANA MENTERI

SEMPENA

PERJUMPAAN YAB PERDANA MENTERI BERSAMA WARGA JABATAN PERDANA MENTERI

BAGI BULAN MEI TAHUN 2025

29 MEI 2025 (KHAMIS) | 8.00 PAGI

DEWAN DE’ SERI ENDON,

PUSPANITA PURI, PUTRAJAYA

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh dan Salam Sejahtera.

Alhamdulillahi rabbil ‘alamin

Nahmaduhu Wa Nusalli ‘ala Rasulihi’l Karim

Wa Aala Aalehi wa sahbehi Ajmaeen

Yang Amat Berhormat Datuk Seri Zahid Hamidi,

Timbalan Perdana Menteri I;

Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Sri Fadillah bin Yusof,
Timbalan Perdana Menteri II;

Menteri-Menteri;

Yang Berbahagia Tan Sri Shamsul Azri bin Abu Bakar,

Ketua Setiausaha Negara; dan

Rakan-rakan yang saya muliakan.

1. Syukur alhamdulillah kerana sampai musim Zulhijjah-Haji dan ramai sanak saudara, keluarga kita yang akan menunaikan Fardu Haji. Dan kita selalu doakan mudah-mudahan “Allahummaj’alhu Hajjan Mabrura wa Sa’yan Masykura wa Dhanban Maghfura wa ‘Amalan Shalihan Maqbula wa Tijaratan lan Tabur”. Mudah-mudahan selamat semuanya.

2. Tapi semangat Haji itu mengingatkan saya sebagaimana saya pernah sampaikan tahun lalu tentang pengalaman Malcolm X, El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, nama Islamnya. Ini masalahnya tentang penghayatan. Orang pergi Haji, tapi dia ada harus ada roh Haji itu. Snouck Hurgronje, salah seorang orientalis terkemuka, yang pakar dan mahir dalam Islam dan pernah dikatakan menipu masuk Islam, guna nama Abdul Ghaffar kahwin dengan wanita Jawa masuk ke Mekah untuk mengkaji apa dia ciri umat Islam bila menunaikan Fardu Haji dan bila balik dia ada roh, semangat dia lain. Buka pesantren atau madrasah dan menjadi seorang yang berlebih berilmu dan berakhlak. Apa amalan Haji di Makkah al-Mukarramah dan Madinah al- Munawwarah.

3. Dia menulis buku terutama tertumpu kepada masyarakat Aceh kerana dia menasihati Kerajaan Belanda, yang kalau saudara lihat 1901 Ethical Policy itu banyak idea dia. Ada yang lulus sejarah di sini? Baik, saya ingat yang lama-lama jadi prepar Tapi buku dia dua yang terkenal. Satu, The Acehnese, dua jilid. Yang bagi selok belok budaya, tradisi, amalan Aceh yang sangat teliti, a great anthropological and sociological analysis. Satu lagi, Mekka in the Latter Part of the 19th Century. Dia tulis Mekka budaya dia, amalan dia, siapa gurunya dan orang-orang Melayu ini rantau Jawi di sebut ni dan orang Aceh belajar di mana? Syaikh Ahmad Khatib. Belajar apa? belajar ugama, apa yang ditanam? rohnya perjuangannya, mengapa dia pulang? bila dia pulang? Di Indonesia khususnya, dia banyak mengasaskan madrasah atau di sana disebut pesantren dan mengapa semangat dia kuat? Mengapa sikap dia anti penjajahan? Dia anti kolonial? Itu dikaji dan ini menyebabkan Queen Wilhelmina kemudian memperkenalkan ‘The Ethical Policy’ di Indonesia yang cuba mengalih pandangan mereka, memperkenalkan sistem pendidikan yang boleh kata dia membebaskan mereka dari agama dan supaya boleh menakluki rupa dan jiwa umat. Apa yang pernah disebut oleh Sheikh Mohammed al-Ghazali sebagai Isti‘mar Ruh al-Fikr. Penjajahan, ‘imperialism of the soul and the mind’.

4. Apa yang saya sebutkan ini, itu erti Haji dalam Islam sepatutnya membawa kesan peribadi yang lebih baik, fahaman lebih baik, akhlak lebih baik. Itu disebut Hajj Mabroor. Tapi yang saya sebut awal, Malcolm X ini seorang pemimpin Black Muslim, yang terima Islam. Nabi dia Elijah Muhammad yang turun ke Chicago jadi Nabi dan dia masa itu ikut kerana dianggap kulit hitam ini dijadikan hamba, maka kulit hitam harus merdeka, kulit hitam harus menguasai dan kulit hitam harus perjuangkan hak mereka menentang White Supremacy dan masa itu Ku Klux Klan. Yang angguk ini yang mana pernah tengok filem itu lah, KKK – Ku Klux Klan.

5. Baik, panjang pula tu. Baik tapi Malcolm X ini dia kemudian jadi pemimpin utama dalam gerakan ini. Dia asalnya anak muda yang terjerumus dalam pelbagai jenayah termasuk merompak dan dipenjarakan. Dan di penjara, diperkenalkan dengan idea-idea Black Muslim. Dia belajar dengan tekun menjadi seorang terkenal. Dia menghadam buku jadi ilmuan. Bahasa Inggerisnya impeccable, ilmunya itu mendalam, penguasaan perbandingan falsafah dan agama cukup mendalam. Fahaman sejarah Amerika dan sejarah Afrika kuat. Jadi bila dia keluar terkenal sebagai seorang ilmuan dengan semangat Black Muslim atau Black Supremacist lawan dengan White supremacist.

6. Kemudian dia kata, aku sebagai orang Islam pasal orang tidak ajak pergi Mekah? Dia pergi jumpa Mufti Baitulmaqdis, Jerusalem lah sekarang kita sebut Baitulmaqdis. Nama dia Syeikh Mohammed Amin al-Husseini. Menteri Agama kena kaji balik sejarah. Mohammed Amin al-Husseini, dia terkenal sebagai seorang ilmuan, seorang pendakwah yang bijak, yang maknanya penuh hikmah. Tengok cara kita dakwah. Mohammed Amin al-Husseini ini tahu Black Muslim ini belum Islam. Tidak pernah disinggung. Datang duduk dengan dia. Bincang Islam, dia terangkan dan Malcolm X ini sosok dia keras. Tak boleh bertempur begitu. Idea dia tidak boleh terima sebab dia kata kami dijajah, kami ditindas, kami dihina, kami dipukul, kami dijadikan hamba. Jangan duk bagi kuliah tentang human rights. Jadi oleh itu, Amin al-Husseini dia sabar sahaja. Ajak semua, perkenalkan Islam.

7. Kemudian dia cerita hebatnya ibadah Haji ini. Jadi, Malcom X ini tertarik, “Can I go?, well I’ll try”. Tetapi kata dia, “you kena jadi Islam”. “Ini aku dah Islam nak Islam macam mana lagi?. Saya black Muslim”. Jadi baru dia terangkan Islam. Kemudian ia bertentangan dengan pandangan Malcom X, Malcom X kata, “kita perjuangkan orang kulit hitam yang ditindas, yang menjadi hamba sekian lama, kamu nak ajar kemanusiaan, karamah insaniah, toleransi di antara orang kulit bewarna, Lita’arafu, ini berbeda.” Tapi dia kata, “itulah kenyataan Islam dan kamu akan lihat di Mekah.” Dia pun terima menjadi seorang Muslim. Nama dia Abdul el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz. Pergi ke Mekah.
8. Tengok kalau niatnya ikhlas al-amalillah, bila dia pakai ihram, kita pakai ihram ini banyak kali, saya pun pakai ihram banyak kali, Haji banyak kali tapi mungkin tidak sampai ke tahap jangan kata sampai, tahap-tahap yang tinggi sahabat dan tabi’in -tabi’in, tahap Malek al Shabab pun saya tidak berani nak akui, sebab bila dia pakai, dia kata, “Allahu Akbar. Bagaimana kekuatan Islam? Hanya dengan pakai kain butih begini, ihram, aku lihat persamaan anak Raja, anak petani, orang kulit hitam, orang kulit putih atau kelabu asap macam kita, dia kata semua sama.

9. Kemudian dia baca, ‘Labbaikallahumma Labbaik, Labbaika La Syarika Laka Labaik, Innal-Hamda Wan-ni’ mata Laka Wal-Mulk, La Syarika Lak’. Baik, jadi bagi dia bila dia baca dengan makna dia kata ini rupanya Islam, persamaan tidak ada kelas tidak ada pangkat. Tapi persamaan yang diiktiraf begitu sekali. Jadi bagaimana seorang yang baru masuk Islam tapi menghayatinya yang kita sebut selalu dalam al Quran, Yaaa aiyuhal lazeena aamanus tajeeboo lillaahi wa lir Rasooli izaa da’aakum limaa yuhyeekum wa’lamooo annal laaha yahoolu bainal mar’i wa qalbihee wa anahooo ilaihi tuhsharoon (Surah Al-Anfal, 8:24).

10. Penghayatannya itu menyebabkan dia terus faham, bila sebut maknanya baca sama dan yang hebatnya yang kuat, yang gagahnya yang agungnya hanya Allah dan kita hanya berhadapan dengan Allah taala. Itu el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz. Dia balik dia ada di London dia ada interview dengan anak kita termasuk beberapa anak Malaysia, dalam The Federation of Islamic Societies of the UK and Ireland (FOSIS). Dan ada majalah The Muslim saya masih lagi masih just yang graduate ABIM kita dapat majalah itu terus kita sebar, interview dia. Tapi beberapa bulan lepas itu dia ke New York bagi pidato dalam dewan seperti ini dan ditembak mati, as-shahid el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz.

11. Tapi apa yang saya hendak sampaikan di sini ialah bagaimana seseorang bila dia mengkaji Islam dia benamkan fahaman jiwa raga dia sekian lama tentang permusuhan kaum. Kaum putih yang menindas, menghina, membunuh, memperkosa keluarganya. Kalau saya lihat Ku Klux Klan masih boleh dileburkan dan balik meninggalkan Black Muslim membawa ajaran Islam tentang kemanusiaan, kebahagiaan dan keadilan bagi semua. Itu kesan daripada haji yang terakhir.

12. Mudah-mudahan semangat itu tertanam di kalangan umat yang menunaikan fardu Haji. Bertentangan lah kalau dia balik pada Haji lagi kuat perkauman dia. Dia pergi Haji lebih kuat kelas dia dan status dia. Maknanya roh penghayatannya gagal.

13. Baik kedua pasal ASEAN ini, Manchester United kalah semalam. Saya pakai baju Manchester United dalam baju ASEAN (nada berseloroh) YAB Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof ingatkan saya pengerusi ASEAN, jadi masa pergi tu belah bahagi “aku ni dah berpuluh tahun dah Manchester United. Tapi kita kasihan dan anak Malaysia 4 orang yang dalam pasukan itu”. Jadi takkan saya hendak boleh jadi itu bezanya, saya mana ada tahu pasukan ASEAN tapi kita nak bawa semangat ASEAN ini.

14. Tapi saya dah berapa tahun dahulu sejak 80-an, sebelum David Beckham lagi. Dan saya pernah seperti mana saya sebut, saya pernah jumpa Sir Alex Ferguson, manager yang terkenal itu. Jadi memang minat, sepanjang tahun gaduh dengan cucu-cucu saya yang minat Arsenal. Tapi saya lihat permainan itu. Lama tak tengok bola tapi alhamdulillah dan saya bangga kerana sekurang-kurangnya anak Malaysia semua diperkenalkan dengan pasukan ASEAN. Dan bukan dari segi itu, mengejutkan kerana menang pula walaupun satu, alhamdulillah.

15. Tapi kalau tanya saya ikhlas semasa saya mula nak menonton, saya jumpa sebenarnya ketua pasukan sehari sebelum tu dan juga manager Manchester United, tetapi dalam hati saya macam mana lah nak menang lawan Manchester United ini. Tapi alhamdulillah tapi sekurang-kurangnya dia bagi semangat baru.

16. Baik apa yang kita belajar daripada ini semua? Pasukan. Ya yang skor memang lebih dari Myanmar. Ini pasukan defence yang baik walaupun di peringkat kedua Manchester United hantar dia punya first team, full force. Mula dia ambil yang second players dan kemudian lepas 20 minit dia tukar, lepas 1/2 jam dia tukar sepenuhnya. Ini semangat pasukan.

17. Berbalik kepada ASEAN, saya sepenuhnya daripada 7 pagi private breakfast dengan Premier Li Qiang, kemudian sambut Amir Qatar 9.00 pagi tu bilateral dengan Amir Qatar dan seterus sampai malam. Tapi saya lihat di semua peringkat itu, kerja anak-anak kita penjawat awam, ya Tan Sri KSN, terima kasih. Hebat! Persis! dari sampai airportnya, perbarisan, polisnya, imigresennya, yang kastamnya, MAHB nya, pemandunya, pengurusan di hotelnya, mesyuaratnya by the minute. Kementerian Luar Negeri tentunya menyelaraskan JPM dengan protokol, protokol saya pening, Dato’- Dato’ tak boleh, jalan ke belah kiri, kena duduk situ. Kalau kita ambil gambar kiri kanan, siapa lah peduli “no Dato Seri macam ni” Saya duduk depan ni, tapi saya hormat saya ikut tak? Saya ikut. Pegawai protokol rendah itu arah Perdana Menteri, ikut tak? Ikut.

18. Tapi saya tanya dia, siapa lah peduli kiri kanan. No, no protokol Dato Seri, sepatutnya sebelah kanan, Dato’ Seri Perdana Menteri, Crown Prince itu Timbalan Perdana Menteri sahaja. Lepas itu sini pula, dia Perdana Menteri, tapi dia Timbalan Menteri. Until now, I don’t understand, but I obey. Why? Is a country of rule and working as a team. I cannot claim he cannot claim. Dan saya tidak nak puji berlebihan. Saya hadir dulu-dulu masa tahun 90-an, tapi baru-baru ini masa Indonesia hos, masa Laos hos dan kita.

19. Dan kita pula terbeban dengan terlalu banyak, first mula ASEAN dan isu besar ASEAN, kita kata mesti terima Timor Leste tahun ini juga. Dah dia mohon tahun 2012, kita hantar TPM ke sana. Kalau Perancis saya pergi, kalau Timor Leste TPM pergi (nada seloroh) Tapi untuk berunding supaya dia meet apa yang dipanggil economic pillar dan beberapa syarat.

20. Bukan mudah saudara, sebab itu saya kata, pertama, kerja sebagai satu pasukan. Kedua, mesti merendah diri berkawan dengan semua. Negeri kecil, miskin, Laos saya anggap dia sebagai sahabat setia. Besar seperti Indonesia, my brother. Singapore kaya, jiran, sama. Kerana jalinan ini memudahkan dan akhirnya Timor Leste diterima dan insya-Allah bulan Oktober akan menjadi anggota ke-11.

21. Kemudian kita nak kena putuskan tentang persefahaman dalam menghadapi tarif Presiden Trump. Tiap-tiap negeri ada strategi masing-masing yang akan ada hubungan dua hala atau bilateral. Tetapi kita nak juga pertahankan kepentingan 650 juta. Dan jangan ada satu keputusan dibuat oleh Malaysia yang merugikan negeri lain atau yang dibuat oleh Vietnam yang merugikan negeri lain. Kita kerja pasukan, saudara-saudara sebenarnya tidak mudah. Ada negara yang lebih dekat dengan Amerika. Ada negara bebas dengan kita, dengan China pun rapat, dengan Rusia pun rapat, dengan Amerika pun rapat. Memeningkan. Tetapi, akhirnya setelah berbeda begitu pandangan, tercapai juga keputusan bersama, strategi bersama untuk menjaga kepentingan bersama ASEAN. Itu yang kedua, yang sangat menyenangkan kita.

22. Apakah rundingan saya? Tidak. Saya hanya peringkat atas. Yang sebelumnya, peringkat pegawai runding, kemudian peringkat Menteri, Menteri Luar, Menteri MITI, Menteri bantu Timbalan Perdana Menteri, jumpa buat bilateral. Jadi sepanjang masa itu, kita cuba mendampingi. Alhamdulillah selesai.

23. Isu Gaza tentunya berbeda. Umumnya semua nyatakan setuju tentang cease fire, tapi nadanya berbeda masing masing. Tetapi kalau saudara lihat, kenyataan bersama, saya syukur alhamdulillah.

24. ASEAN dapat mengetengahkan pandangan, mengecam kezaliman, menuntut hak kemanusiaan Palestin dan minta menghentikan serangan segera. Jadi semua isu-isu ini kita dapat sepakati.

25. Selesai ASEAN, jumpa pula sheikh-sheikh Arab, bukan mudah. Sheikh Arab pula pula ada macam Emir Qatar. Ada Perdana Menteri, Putera Raja Bahrain, Kuwait yang mempengerusikan GCC. Jadi, bila nak bawa isu itu peringkat bawah, sampai Menteri, sampai atas, tak selesai. Sampai satu peringkat di mana saya berunding dengan Premier Li Qiang dan Perdana Menteri Kuwait mengatakan dah kalau tak dapat kata sepakat semua, kita sahaja, Pengerusi-Pengerusi tandatangan. Maknanya Chairman Statement tiga-tiga. Tapi itu tidak menampakkan kejayaan. Kejayaan itu dipanggil Joint Statement semua negara, ASEAN-GCC-China. Bukan mudah saudara.

26. Saudara-saudara tahu ini, ASEAN sahaja 10 itu nak satukan dalam semua perkara-perkara yang teknikal, sangat susah. Kalau tak bernasib baik saya tak tanya Peguam Negara. Kalau tanya Peguam Negara, no no perkataan notwithstanding tak boleh, koma sini. Gurau-gurau. Tapi betul, betul.

27. Lepas tu ASEAN, lepas tu GCC dan GCC tak semestinya hubungan-hubungan bersama ASEAN ini. Saya nak beritahu, kerja saya jadi senang kerana saya jadi kawan. Kawan baik betul. Kalau tak setuju, saya pergi telefon Bongbong, saya panggil Bongbong, Presiden Marcos, Bongbong sahaja. Kalau Prabowo lagi senang. Ini apa Bapak Prabowo? Ini gara-gara..Tidak apa, kapan? Hari Ahad saya datang dan makan tengah hari. Senang urusan, Presiden Indonesia. Bincang sikit dia kata gampang-gampang.. saya datang saja. Terus dia datang, dah empat kali dah datang, campur yang baru ni lima kali. Saya tak pergi Jakarta lagi, yang pergi Zahid. Dia pasal ada sejarah Jawa. Gurau sahaja, jangan main-main dia Presiden Umno, jangan main-main. (nada bergurau)

28. Jadi di situ ASEAN sahaja pun tidak mudah ya. Dan Vietnam, you know the major economy, sejarah yang saya sebut dalam ucapan mengalukan ini sejarah perjuangan yang baru-baru ini, yang dalam abad ini yang mengalahkan Imperialisme Perancis dalam The Battle of Dien Bien Phu di bawah Ho Chi Minh. Kemudian mengalahkan rejim yang bersama Amerika Syarikat. Jadi tidak mudah.

29. Lepas itu saya kata negeri Arab. GCC yang sebenarnya tidak sepakat seperti kita. Jadi kita kena runding satu-satu. Dan akhirnya dengan China, tetapi oleh kerana persahabatan dengan China, bulan lalu yang dengan Presiden Xi Jinping datang kemudian baru ni dengan Premier Li Qiang itu memudahkan. Tetapi semua ini berlaku di peringkat akhir. Yang menyenangkan mereka itu kerana persiapan itu rapi sekali. Kita beri umumnya kenderaan untuk Ketua-Ketua Negara dan juga melainkan yang bawa sendiri, Menteri-Menteri itu semua kereta EV. Jadi EV tu kecil sedikit daripada yang disambut biasa. Jadi bukanlah makna kita bagi yang paling mewah, tidak. Kita bagi semua kereta EV sebab saya kata tema kita inclusivity and sustainability. Jadi kita bawa itu. Hadiah-hadiah kita, yang kita berikan semua yang tempatan, dari Kraftangan, dari buatan Kelantan, Sabah, Sarawak, Perak, jadi semua yang barang-barang tempatan. Jadi sederhana, tidak sangat berlebih-lebih.

30. Tetapi, persidangan itu saya katakan ini yang harus ada, semangat bekerja sebagai satu pasukan. Dia tidak ada fikir kaum, dia tidak ada fikir Jabatan, dia tidak fikir negeri. Dia fikir kecintaan dia menjayakan Malaysia sebagai Pengerusi ASEAN. Jadi saya hanya nak ucap penghargaan setinggi-tinggi. Memang saya terkesan, terharu sekali. Kerana saya lihat, saya dah pergi berpuluh-puluh persidangan G20, BRICS macam-macam, tetapi persiapan kita rapi. Masuk jalan mana, Ketua Negara belah mana, pegawai belah mana sambut dan diatur semua sekali oleh pegawai-pegawai kita, semua bahagian, keselamatannya, perubatannya dan sebagainya.

31. Mula saya nak fikir, cakap dengan KSP Johan, bagi tapi ramai sangat yang terlibat ini ribu. Mula saya ingatkan kiranya bagilah makan, makan di mana? Di Padang Merdeka boleh. Tapi dari hati sanubari saya, minta maaf kalau ada apa-apa kekurangan. Tapi saya nak gunakan majlis ini kepada semua penjawat awam dan swasta, pengurusan hotel dan rakyat yang faham tentang keperluan kita ini, saya ucapkan terima kasih banyak.

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

CLOSING REMARKS BY

YAB DATO’ SERI ANWAR BIN IBRAHIM

PRIME MINISTER

ASEAN AUDITOR CONFERENCE 2025

28 MAY 2025 | WEDNESDAY | 11.00 AM

PUTRAJAYA INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE (PICC)

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Salam sejahtera.

Alhamdulillah. Nahmaduhu wanusolli ala rasulihil kareem.

YBhg. Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar,

Ketua Setiausaha Negara;

YBhg. Dato’ Seri Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi,

Ketua Audit Negara;

Ketua-ketua Audit dari ASEAN dan negara-negara yang turut hadir;

Duta-duta dan Pesuruhjaya Tinggi.

1. Terima kasih atas kerjasama yang diberikan untuk menjayakan persidangan yang saya anggap kritikal. Bila kita bicara soal tatakelola dan governance, tonggaknya adalah keupayaan kita memberikan penilaian berdasarkan audit yang professional. Jadi saya ucap terima kasih, apa lagi inisiatifnya itu, ASEAN.

2. Kita baru selesai malam tadi Sidang ASEAN, Negara-negara Teluk GCC dan China. Pagi tadi, di Kuala Lumpur diteruskan dengan Sidang Usahawan, Pelabur yang diselenggara oleh Fortune di antara ASEAN, GCC dan China. Saya memohon maaf kerana sedikit terlambat kerana dari situ pagi tadi, saya ziarah yang dikasihi Kebawah Duli Tuanku Sultan Brunei yang sedang dirawat dan beristirehat di hospital. Jadi minta maaf kerana agak sedikit terlambat.

3. It is not in terms of Audit Conference, it is no excuse for you to come slightly late. I do apologise because after the International Conference of Business Community, investing community, focusing on digital transformation, AI, I had to spend a bit of time to visit our dear brother, His Majesty Sultan of Brunei who was recuperating and resting at the hospital. So, I do apologise because you should not come late particularly to the Audit Conference. I will fail the audit in terms of time.

4. So, let us talk about ASEAN’s commitment, unity, shared values reaffirmed during the 46^th summit in Kuala Lumpur. But an integral part of this cohesiveness is to ensure that we remain true to our ideals, a community that focuses on responsible and good governance. And the core of this good governance is to be accountable. We talk about inclusivity, sustainability, yes. But if you look at the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, the premise is of course, responsible and good governance that represents the conscience of the majority of our people who wants to reach the country of excesses, endemic corruption and waste.

5. That is why I strongly support ASEAN Audit Institutions to implement this vision and most so because we have this woman of steel to head as Auditor General. Extremely tough and unpopular. It doesn’t matter because she’s not contesting the elections, or at least for now, I don’t know about the future. But the four strategic pillars fostering good governance, transparency and accountability. That is why I made a particular reference to strengthening administrative systems in our varies countries and across Member States. So, it is still governance as the prime strategic pillar. Then only you talk about improving audit quality and financing reporting compliance. Because through this you can propel economic integration through reliable financial data for investors and stakeholders.

6. People say, well, only through good governance, good auditing, you’ll attract investments. That’s to me critical but not pivotal. It is your responsibility as a person, particularly if you were given a task, to be accountable, to be true, to preserve your own dignity, to do an honest job. It is easier said than done. Because now in government, I realise it’s not necessarily easy, but it can be considerably unpopular. You take action due to the audit report.

7. There will be a stream of county of people with vested interest will oppose. You say, you must have a transparent tender process. You, of course antagonise those who will be familiar to the old ways. You say, rid the country of corruption or act against those who have amassed and squandered billions of the country. I leave my support. So, thank you Wan Suraya and your team because you give enough data and evidence to support effort to improve governance in this country.

8. So now we extend beyond this, about upholding the highest standards of transparency and accountability, and through this, strengthen anti-corruption frameworks, again through the independence of auditors and regulators. Now, auditors in the past, including the big audit firms are not entirely free from being the target due to excesses. You know that here in this country, and of course, if you look at the more developed industrialised economies, there has been complicity at times. If you look at, for example, the story of the 1MDB scandal, complicity of the big audit firms.

9. So, it’s not a matter of hectoring by them or lecture. We have enough. So, we have to prepare to face the challenges in our country and in our region. That’s why to my mind, it’s a particularly important endeavour that audit institutions to be empowered to operate independently and to follow the trail of accountability wherever it leads.

10. Having said that, I am telling you as Prime Minister, it is not easy. Particularly when we have a tough Director General (DG) like this, but she’s doing her job. That is why I’ve mentioned this to my Cabinet colleagues. Even I don’t determine what should be the results of the priority. They briefed me, of course, recently, last two weeks also about the report, but brief not for me to go and interfere and change report. I said, brief me just before I present the report to the Cabinet to be presented to the Parliament for an open public debate. That is what we mean by good governance and transparency.

11. And this ultimately will strengthen governance and integrity, and will be reflected in sustained improvement again to the Corruption Perception Index (CPI). So let me give you this encouragement. You want to see the future of ASEAN? It is this cohesiveness, this is trust, this is bond that would want to showcase the region, the most peaceful region in the world right now, and the fastest growing economy in the world—650 million people. But to showcase not because of the numbers, not because of our economic strength, but because we represent a region that’s peaceful and that honest, good principles of good governance and accountability.

12. I’m extremely pleased, through our consensus, we agreed with this Vision 2045. And this is what we mean. And I believe all the Director Generals of ASEAN should grasp, digest this report, and see the thinking of our policymakers. Our duty is, of course, to give you first, political stability, which is a precondition but then, clarity of policies and we see this working on ASEAN.

13. I mentioned this morning that this 26 pages statement was endorsed by ASEAN leaders, GCC, and China. The interest is not to combat or to have contentious debates with the rest, no. We talk about centrality in ASEAN. As an independent country, we should work with everyone for the benefit of our people. So, we decided to work with the GCC, and because we are in the region with this growing economic and military power of China, it makes a lot of sense for us to go and work with them. At the same time, the United States remains one of the most important players in terms of investments and trade. So, we must continue to engage with EU, with all countries.

14. I must mention Yemen, with the ambassadors saying ‘Yemen is here, Yemen is here’, of course I can see. So, do we take that position? And I think that consensus has given this rise. But the principles again, we’re talking about Artificial Intelligence (AI) this morning. I’m going to relate because you’re not focusing on AI, and some talk from OpenAI to ChatGPT, there all there. So, I said look, can I then extend the discourse a little bit more? Because I think in audit, in governance, in customs and immigration, we’re now exploring into AI. You could be pleased to be able to monitor effectively, and they would help in terms of accountability and audit.

15. But don’t ever forget: why do you want to have a good auditing system? And now, with, through AI—why do you want to talk about governance? Why do you want to resolve the problem of abject poverty and to address the issue of inequality? Because we want to protect human dignity. Because we have values. Why do you want to have a good auditor auditing system? Because we want to avoid excesses, abuses, and corruption. Why? Because we want to protect the honour and dignity of every man and woman. Essentially that, which means the issue of faith, of values.

16. So, when you talk about AI, don’t ever ignore the importance of values, of faith, of moral and ethical precepts. And I believe among the auditors, among the staff and the people you train this must always be instilled. This is not only a matter of sound public finances, but also to uphold values which will serve yourself, family, country, and region with peace, fairness, accountability, and opportunity for all. I hope I’m not digressing from your focus of discussion, but I feel strongly that without focusing on the issue of human dignity, shared values, common destiny, we are leaving it to the unscrupulous players devoid of morality and ethics.

17. Corruption is tolerated, the oppression of man by man is condoned, killings and colonisation that cause so much devastation are tolerated for 101 reasons. That’s why I’m very pleased, one important resolution in the statement is on Gaza. I mean what such hypocrisy!. This is 2025, we have the best auditors, but we don’t audit character and values of the human being. Every day we see children and women being bombed and killed. It doesn’t touch our concern and feeling probably because of their colour or their faith but this is an abandonment of principles and values.

18. You can have a very good audit system. That’s why I have stressed even for auditors, accountants, regulators, public and private sector leaders we must reaffirm this essential truth that good and accountable governance based on values and human dignity must be the foundation of a sustainable and equitable development.

19. So, thank you Wan Suraya, the team, the guests and speakers that have given all the support for this conference and may you continue to lead the auditors if they are really independent and effective as powerful as the Anti-Corruption Commission. We want them to continue to play that role, not because they are vicious, not because they are politically biased, but because they honour these core principles and values.

20. How many countries have you seen if you understand historical antecedents that have achieved greatness in the past but degenerated into decline purely because of greed, corruption, and abuse, which do not uphold these core principles? Even in Islamic history, you know that the institution of hisbah, like public accountability, was quite core and fundamental. But we have lost them, we talk about Islam, but then we don’t honour or implement the core principles and values about truth, about honour, about human dignity, and hisbah which is public accountability.

21. So, thank you very much for being patient enough to listen to this morning lecture. Normally, you know, I don’t subscribe too much to this text than Wan Suraya already prepare but I share the sentiments here, you can circulate. But normally I choose, in conferences such as this which I think the foundation of good governance to express what I strongly believe, and I express from the bottom of my heart.

Thank you. Terima kasih.

PLENARY SESSION

“THE INTELLIGENCE GRID: BUILDING BRIDGES THROUGH SOVEREIGN AI COLLABORATION”

AT

FORTUNE ASEAN – GCC ECONOMIC FORUM (AGCEF)

28 MAY 2025 | 9.00 AM

MANDARIN ORIENTAL

Question 1

How regional partnership in AI can secure digital sovereignty for developing nations without being concern by global tech rivalries?

Answers:

Thank you, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, that is the expert actually but then you see there is a paradigm shift now because AI so penetrative so compelling that it covers the whole spectrum of governance and daily life that we leaders have no choice but to try and grasp this new technology.

Now, second issues occur which is relates to the issue of governance is sovereignty. Governments are there to protect sovereignty, but then the word sovereignty actually predates new technology. It it has to be reviewed, repurpose to protect the security, yes, over the nation, but at the same time, to allow for this new space. They caught companies and operations in the cloud within the sovereign area, but still totally independent of national laws excepting for protecting borders and security.

So, that’s why I believe that we Malaysia, for example, have accepted this. We’ll have to introduce new legislation to accept the fact that sovereignty must be viewed so as to be seen to be able to transform that technology and allow AI to operate independently without having to subject itself to the laws of the country. Which means like what we have given to the embassies in the old system. So, I think we are safe at that.

On the third issue on the regional global perspective because the very fact that we deal with a new technology is not national, is not sub regional, it has to be global.

Now our initiative Malaysia, thanks to ASEAN and of course GCC to be able to participate. In fact, GCC played a very prominent role initially of course, the initiative in Saudi Arabia with GCC, but when we initiate the discussions with UAE, H.E MBZ, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and then I extend the Kuwait Chairmanship. There was a statistic agreement that we should expand this sort of geopolitical consideration into more serious considerations affecting investments, trade, including the new technology.

China, because it is an important neighbour in our country. But that having said that, I must emphasize here that for us in Malaysia, for example, United States remain number one cumulatively and at present investor in Malaysia, 60 percent of our E&E is exported to the United States.

So, we have to navigate this as a global strategy, not purely dictated by national or regional interest, but to push forward for the AI strategy to cover a global understanding and the new mindset that predicts new technology because the new technology compels and demand. If you want to accept AI, then you cannot be thinking of sovereignty in the old school of thought. Thank you.

Question 2

You heard from Pang about his optimism about AI, but in your view, what are your views about the hope but also what are your concerns about AI for a nation like Malaysia and for ASEAN?

Answers:

Pang seems to be very bullish. I share his views, but their concerns and legitimate concerns which we can address. I’m not suggesting that it is insurmountable, but we’re dealing with human beings and they are concerns expressed about values, about the whole reconstruction of our understanding of history, about identity. Can we then consider this as part of the whole exercise in venturing to new technology?

Their views about why now globalisation? Globalisation means to be dictated by a technology and the supremacy of the west is thinking. But of course, we have to debunk this, debunk this through understanding and knowledge to suggest that as I said, Mecca, Madina for 1000 years, I mean the centre of globalisation in the sense that it was a cosmopolitan centre. Oman a major trading centre. Malacca Sultanate was a cosmopolitan centre which their ships all over the world. In 1452, Zheng He travelled throughout the world. I mean, if you view this, then you give this sense of identity and purpose and dignity for these countries. It is important.

Now, secondly, I think the issue is what about values? Can human being be dictated purely by this new technology and machines? That is why our education is a challenge. Can we replace AI? We can’t, but we can, for example, impart and infuse to protect our identity, our faith, personality through inculcation of values. Because what is the deficit in the political system these days? Generally, what’s considered to be the failure of a global political system now is the deficit in terms of value. People don’t honour human dignity. There’s no concern about justice or fairness. It’s just about success and money?

So, can we avoid AI? No, we can’t. But it’s our challenge, particularly the national leadership to ensure that the education, the inculcation of values, what is right, what is wrong, what is just, what is oppressive. Because otherwise we just dictate by machines.

Now people do criticise me, they say, I know you’re too philosophical. You’re expressing too much concerns about the development. No, no way can we slow down. In fact, Malaysia, I want to drive this, get all the legislations in place, get this sovereignty issue resolved, get you know, I am determined to push as hard as possible. But I’m also aware that our understanding, our values, our knowledge base cannot be dictated by one particular society or particular values.

But how do we resolve this? We resolve this through education, through understanding, through critical thinking. I mean, the whole idea of AI is to allow for other views. But then we are not imparting the correct value. I mean, I don’t know, we may be seen to be quite irrelevant to Pang. I don’t know. But, I strongly feel, you know, we have to couple this. Can we deal with this? My answer is yes.

After all we talk about the antecedents or historical antecedents, you would realise that at the time when you had an initial industrial revolution, this whole debate was part of the debate. People who talk about dehumanisation of man. You know in my days there was Herbert McCue and Eric Erickson, you know those political thinkers who actually caution again about the obsession about industrialization.

But the problem is became a conflict between those who are for in decision who are against. We can’t repeat that mistake. We must be for new technology, for AI unreservedly. But at the same time, we understand human values. We understand the basic flaws of dehumanisation that’s happening, which is not necessarily tied to AI, but will not be strengthened by AI except you impact the right values.

I mean, I happen to be a politician, but I realise the flaws, the hypocrisy, the contradictions, the tolerance of gross injustice and oppression. All in the name of new technology, of newer progress. And this is to me unacceptable because after all, we must promote reason and justice. I mean, I’m not confining particularly to the situation, the devastation in Gaza, but just one example, how with all this new technology and AI, we fail to resolve a basic question of human dignity.

I rest my case. Thank you.

Question 3

A very difficult one. So, for Malaysia, and you know, you heard about what our other fellow distinguished panellists have said— what Malaysia needs to do then to both compete in the global marketplace and then continue to prosper when it comes to new technology like AI. So, what do we need to do?

Answers:

Zafrul, I’ve said that we will do whatever is necessary and, thanks for your advice, what else do we need to do? Pang.

Before that, just because many of our friends from the GCC are here, and also ASEAN, many also from China, let me just put this point. This is our first real experience, this engagement—serious, substantive engagement, between Malaysia and ASEAN with the GCC.

Many of our colleagues in ASEAN, of course they have met but not entered into very serious, as I said, substantive negotiations on key issues about governance, international issues, and the new technology, including AI, digital transformation, and new energy, as well as alternative energy.

But I must say, it was not easy. Two days of hard work, of intensive, tiring discussions. But you’d be surprised to know that GCC and ASEAN could finally enter into common understanding on key issues.

And to me, it is the beginning. Because when you have leaders having that sort of a mindset—promoting new technology and change—it could not have happened if we did not have this basic trust with one another.

And with ASEAN, I can understand, because we meet all the time. But for ASEAN and GCC to then agree on these fundamental issues. That was the reason why China was persuaded to then follow through. Because when you have these key economies, as I’ve always said ASEAN is still relatively the most peaceful region in the world, fastest growing economy, and the GCC, which is experiencing phenomenal growth and change in terms of alternate renewable energy and digital transformation, AI, we have that.

I’m personally extremely excited, really. I mean, nobody in their right mind would expect us to agree on this. I mean, I would suggest that you read this, the agreed statement signed by all these countries, because those were not what we anticipated. We anticipated sometimes some sort of a basic, general understanding. But then when the leaders met, we said: look, there’s no point having all this façade of having, you know, big international conferences if we cannot persuade the team to come up with very substantive agreement or focusing basically, of course, on technology and investments and trade, but at the same time touching on very contentious international issues.

So, let me then express my personal satisfaction to you and to prove that this has to work and this can be executed, finally, by the understanding of the captains of industry and the business community.

Thank you. Shukran. Xie Xie.

OPENING REMARKS

YAB DATO’ SERI ANWAR BIN IBRAHIM

PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA

FOR

ASEAN-GCC-CHINA ECONOMIC FORUM

OPENING CEREMONY

27 MAY 2025 | TUESDAY) | 2000 HRS

MANDARIN ORIENTAL, KUALA LUMPUR

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh, Salam Sejahtera,

1. It is an honour to welcome all of you to Kuala Lumpur, The Fortune ASEAN-GCC-China Economic Forum. This is held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit.
2. So, I must thank Premier Li Qiang, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Deputy Prime Minister and all those present. It is a wonderful evening testimony to the Malaysian position and ASEAN’s position of centrality, of effective engagement, of focusing on economic fundamentals and ensuring that we do whatever is necessary to promote growth in our country, in our region and in the international community.
3. So, I think I’m rather excited this evening because as Premier Li Qiang and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is aware, we have had an extremely successful meeting. The leaders of ASEAN decided and clearly their vision and now tested to resolve all issues, including what was perceived to be a rather contentious one.
4. But we decided that, what is important is a cohesive, strong, independent and fiercely independent ASEAN that would confirm opposition or centrality, they would decide to act, to protect our interests and to promote economy. That’s why we decided to pursue the programme with the GCC. GCC as I’ve said repeatedly in the deliberation this morning, happens to be the Dynamo in the Middle East.
5. The resilience is unprecedented, focusing on the strength that they have energy and embarking on an extremely courageous venture. New technology, digitalization and AI. I salute those who are from GCC who has decided to join us in this venture and work together as a new formidable team.
6. And now we have China. Why China Premier Li Qiang? Because China is an important neighbour of ours, because China has shown that they are prepared to work for peace and development of the region and the world. And because China have taken a position to promote strongly peace and security in this region. And that’s why China, to my mind, is pivotal. Plus the fact that China has proved without doubt the capacity to affect change in the economy and technology in their attempt to showcase with the world that united we stand and we focus on what is important to humanity at large. That is justice, fairness to one and to all. So, thank you, xie xie.

7. I’m not giving a speech, because we can listen to Premier Li Qiang after this, because we have a long drawn meetings for the last two days and virtually I’ve said what I wanted. But more pertinent, I tell you we ASEAN and GCC and China could agree to present a joint statement to give broad parameters what good governance is all about, what clarity of economic policies is all about and what championing the rights and the welfare of our ordinary citizens is all about. So, I salute all our leaders of ASEAN, GCC and China.

8. We have proven that it could be done. Some might tell you a very contentious issue. We debated for two days and night and finally we are able to resolve. Thank you, Mohamad Hasan and his team, the Foreign Ministry, they had to work very hard. We just read out the statement.

9. Premier Li Qiang, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and friends, we have done our part. The political leadership has assured you of stability. Have driven a policy that’s attractive to investments. The clarity of policy that promote new technology that would say that we will do whatever is necessary to promote investments and make our countries attractive to investments.

10. Now, we have finished our session at 6:30 today. The ball is yours, the business community, the corporate players, the captors of industry have then to seize the moment and do what is necessary because we have given our support policies, there’s clarity of policies. Now you need to ensure that we benefit from this clear resounding position of the political leadership and clarity of economic policies.

11. I look forward to this Fortune ASEAN-GCC-China Economic Summit because we want to see results and it is your duty now to act and ensure that our countries benefit from one another. So much synergy, so much collaboration required and so much hope to fulfil the aspirations of our countries.

Thank you. Xie xie. Shukran.

SPEECH FOR YAB PRIME MINISTER

ON THE OCCASION OF THE SIGNING CEREMONY OF THE

KUALA LUMPUR DECLARATION ON ASEAN 2045: OUR SHARED FUTURE

26 MAY 2025

Your Majesty,

ASEAN Heads of States and Governments,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, and a very good afternoon.

1. Today, ASEAN marks a defining chapter in its journey of regional integration with the adoption of ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future.

2. In 1967, our founding members pledged to “bind themselves together in friendship and cooperation and, through joint efforts and sacrifices, secure for their peoples and for posterity the blessings of peace, freedom and prosperity.”

3. Today, we renew that solemn promise – not as a tribute to the past, but as a living covenant with the future.

4. It is often said that the best way to predict the future is to create it. That is what ASEAN has sought to do – through decades of steady effort, shared stewardship and strategic vision.

5. I record my deep appreciation to all who contributed to this vision, shaped by persistence, pragmatism and the quiet power of regional trust.

Your Majesty,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

6. A decade ago, in this very city, we launched the ASEAN Community Vision 2025. That moment reaffirmed ASEAN’s role as an anchor of stability and a rising centre of economic gravity.

7. But today, the international order is unsettled. Geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation, climate and technological disruption are testing the bonds between nations.

8. The years ahead will be defined by revolutions in technology and science. Our ability to lead – in artificial intelligence, digital innovation and the green and blue economies – will determine not just our prosperity, but our cohesion.

9. Yet these same technologies carry risks. Left unmanaged, they may deepen inequality, displace livelihoods and outpace our rules. We must not only embrace innovation – we must learn to govern it, together, and with care.

10. The future we seek must rest on foundations of sustainability and inclusion. ASEAN’s integration must be genuinely people-centred. That means closing development gaps, raising standards of living and investing in the human spirit and potential of all our citizens.

Your Majesty,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

11. This shared blueprint gives shape to that belief. It is a vision anchored in realism, animated by resolve and made possible by trust.

12. As we turn this page, we renew our promise – to our peoples, to our region and to the generations yet to rise.

13. Let us move forward – with clarity in our vision, steadiness in our purpose and unity in our will – to build the ASEAN we owe to the future generations.

Thank you. Terima kasih.

46^th ASEAN SUMMIT (PLENARY)

OPENING REMARKS

[YAB PM to deliver opening remarks.]

Your Majesty,

ASEAN Heads of State and Government,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, and a very good morning.

1. It is my distinct honour and privilege to warmly welcome all of you to Kuala Lumpur for the 46^th ASEAN Summit. Selamat Datang.

2. Malaysia is honoured to chair ASEAN this year – a year of special significance. We mark a decade since the establishment of the ASEAN Community, inviting both reflection and renewal. At the same time, we will adopt a forward-looking 20-year Vision that necessitates our unwavering commitment and collective resolve.

3. These milestones offer a renewed sense of optimism and confidence for ASEAN, underscored by remarkable resilience against a backdrop of increasingly complex and sobering global developments. Indeed, a transition in the geopolitical order is underway and the global trading system is under further strain, with the recent imposition of U.S. unilateral tariffs. Protectionism is resurging as we bear witness to multilateralism breaking apart at the seams.

4. Nevertheless, we are thankful for the spirit of centrality and the fraternity among ASEAN Member States in being able to come together to forge a common front in dealing with these challenges.

5. Noteworthy is our expeditious response in dealing with the US tariffs with the establishment of the ASEAN Geo-economics Task Force as a necessary step, not just for coordination, but to demonstrate resolution and confidence.

6. As for Myanmar, we have been able to take positive steps with the formation of the Informal Advisory Group for Malaysia as the ASEAN Chair for 2025. Headed by former Thai Prime Minister Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra, the group also met in Brunei Darussalam graced by the presence of His Majesty the Sultan. It is significant that since the third meeting held in Bangkok, we have been able to move the needle forward in our efforts for the eventual resolution of the Myanmar crisis. We are grateful that the next meeting will be hosted by former Prime Minister of Cambodia Samdech Hun Sen.

7. I wish to stress that throughout this process, quiet engagement has mattered. The steps may be small and the bridge may be fragile but as they say, in matters of peace, even a fragile bridge is better than a widening gulf.

8. For ASEAN, our peace, stability and prosperity have often depended on an open, inclusive, rules-based international order, anchored in the free flow of trade, capital and people. These foundations are now being dismantled under the force of arbitrary action.

9. But again, I strongly believe in the fortitude and staying power of ASEAN to withstand the headwinds and weather the storms of the challenges and uncertainties facing us. It is with the sense of centrality and our conviction to forge our own future that will enable us to stay ahead of the curve.

10. In this regard, we are able to convene the first ever ASEAN-GCC-China Summit which demonstrates our reservoir of goodwill empowering us to deepen and expand our partnerships, and to act with strategic clarity.

11. I believe that this trilateral Summit manifests the successful reshaping of the matrix of partnership that speaks to today’s multipolar reality. It symbolises the power of cohesiveness of regional blocs which no doubt would have positive impact on the world at large.

12. Above all, we must preserve the multilateral system and ensure that the ASEAN-GCC-China geo-economic model continues to play a meaningful role in forging a more inclusive and sustainable future, for our region and our people.

13. It is in this spirit that Malaysia, as Chair this year, champions the theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability.” It is a strategic and value-driven proposition.
14. It speaks not only to our aspirations, but to our obligations. It is anchored in the conviction that ASEAN’s future must rest on the twin pillars of equitable, sustainable growth and enduring resilience.

15. These principles must be embedded at the very heart of ASEAN’s agenda and vision. Malaysia appreciates the support of all in ensuring that our Chairmanship advances this shared vision.

Your Majesty, Excellencies,

16. With that, I now have the honour to declare the 46^th ASEAN Summit officially open.

[YAB Prime Minister to strike the gavel]

17. Before we begin, may I now request the media to leave the room.

Terima Kasih. Thank you.

VERBATIM TEXT

OFFICIAL VISIT OF

HIS EXCELLENCY PHAM MINH CHINH

PRIME MINISTER OF VIETNAM

25 MAY 2025

POINTERS FOR JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE

1. Thank you, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh of Vietnam and members of the Vietnamese delegation. On behalf of the Malaysian government and people, may I wish you and thank you for being gracious enough to visit Malaysia prior to the ASEAN-GCC-China-Summit. And as you know, and I’ve said it repeatedly, Vietnam has a special place in our heart. We have followed, particularly in our young days, the heroic struggle of the people of Vietnam against French imperialism initially and the great battle of Dien Bien Phu under the leadership of the freedom and liberation fighter Ho Chi Minh.

2. And then, of course, your exceptional ability and strength and resilience, the spirit of the Vietnamese people to secure free from United States imperialism. So, if you ran the long history and I remember my young days, we set up a team South East Asian Intellectuals promoting Vietnam to join ASEAN and there was on informal basis with a number of friends from Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore. So personally, Prime Minister, I’m of course delighted to have your friend and to have Vietnam is a great friend of Malaysia.

3. Now, we have seen today, some key decisions by governments and institutions, Universiti Kebangsaan in particular and the Energy Board Company Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) with your counterpart and of course PETRONAS, in particular with Petrovietnam and this ASEAN Power Grid from Vietnam undersea cable to Semenanjung, National Grid to Singapore is to my mind one of the key successes of this year’s ASEAN Summit. We not only make its impressive pronouncements on the gigantic projects or collaboration or diplomatic endeavour, but this time we have be able to concretize this through effective programs and projects, which is consistent with our energy transition policy for alternative energy for the region.

4. So, thank you again for your support in this field. But then I wish also to take this project. Thank you because in all our programs that we initiate either in the context of Multilateral ASEAN mechanisms or within Bilateral Malaysia and Vietnam, you have been very supportive, that include of course the LIMA Show and Exhibition and where Vietnamese Defence Force were there to support our endeavour. And the relations have been elevated to comprehensive strategic partnership last year.

5. But in this short phase of time, you have seen in agriculture with Insititut Penyelidikan dan Kemajuan Pertanian Malaysia (MARDI), with universities, with maritime collaboration. We do have some problems, so, we have already given this undertaking to collaborate through joint operations and also in terms of security arrangement. But I agree with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Vietnam is doing a phenomenal effort in terms of phenomenal economic growth. Your services in known economics, you have done remarkably well. But Malaysians may not appreciate politically the younger generation that you have started it with a very low base. The country was devastated.

6. But then in the few decades you have grown and the transformation that have taken place is something that we admire and areas that we can also learn. And I’m happy to suggest that to say that in 1993 I brought in and the first Malaysian Bank was set up with your support because I believe in the future of Vietnam, in 1993, as Finance Minister, I brought up the team, I think Maybank and Public Bank at that time to set up the branch and the Vietnamese authorities gave the approval. And there was a difficult time because we were adjusting on the financial procedures and agreements, which has not been in place in Vietnam, but purely because our confidence and trust in Vietnam, we proceeded right. Thank you.

7. But on the final note is that, there will be a football match on the 10th of June between Vietnam and Malaysia. And I’ve alerted Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, don’t be too confident, because we are really coming out, this time very prepared. And the Vietnam is a formidable team, as very, as you know, very strong and it’s an uphill battle, but we have our team full of spirit and resilience to be able to showcase this time. And I told him if we do win, I give him a call. If we don’t, I will just go to sleep.

8. And finally, on the 28th, as you know, the Manchester United is coming here and against the ASEAN team led by the coach, Vietnamese coach and unfortunately, he will not be able to attend. I pursued him to attend because that showcases about the ASEAN spirit, I guess Manchester United, which is not easy. But anyway, I have invited him to attend.

Again, thank you very much, Prime Minister.