DAVOS, Jan 23 — As the Asean chairman this year, Malaysia aims to prioritise energy and connectivity with a focus on building trust and inclusivity among member countries as well as engaging constructively with major global powers while safeguarding the bloc’s independence.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Summit 2025 in Switzerland on Wednesday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the priority is on the energy sector, including the Asean Power Grid and alternative technology, which covers Indochina, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and the Philippines, as well as involving the undersea cable from Sarawak.
“The understanding of consensus is to focus on energy in a more pragmatic way to resolve not only our economic demands because of the huge interest that the sectors are in place but also because the requirements for water and electricity are now critical.
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Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim speaks at the Country Dialogue on Malaysia session during the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on January 21, 2025. — Picture by AFIQ HAMBALI/PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE[/caption]
“We have to address that, and at the same time, deal with climate issues, notwithstanding what others think or feel; we in Asean feel that this is our priority. This is something which is critical for our future,” he said as a panellist at the WEF 2025 forum titled 'Asean, Even Stronger Together'.
WEF president Borge Brende moderated the session, and other panellists include Vietnam’s Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính, special envoy of the secretary-general of the United Nations for Myanmar Julie Bishop, Mastercard chair Merit Janow, and Bangladesh’s chief adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus.
Anwar added that while the Asean member countries focus on connectivity and digitalisation, including artificial intelligence, to promote better understanding among themselves, the fundamentals remain about the economy.
“People say they are contending forces, competing among ourselves, (but this is) not necessarily so because we share, and I think there is enough interest in Malaysia and the region,” he said.
Asean is also concerned about the principle of inclusivity, where countries are not neglected.
“We engage and formulate policies that will benefit each other. If you do not cater for that, then there will not be peace and tranquillity among neighbours.
“I want to reiterate a critical point, which many people underestimate — the importance of building trust, working together, and focusing on these fundamentals,” Anwar said.
He also noted that as a trading nation, Malaysia should continue to engage and attract investors from the United States, Europe, China, Australia, and India.
“This is what we call in Anwar as centrality. We should not be compelled to take a position against anyone,” he added.
— Bernama
