MALAYSIA’S DIPLOMATIC DIVERSIFICATION TO RESHAPE ASEAN'S STRATEGIC DIRECTION - ANALYST

By Nabilah Saleh

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 20 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s bold and proactive pursuit of a diversified foreign policy under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, including its engagement with BRICS, is set to reshape ASEAN’s strategic direction and regional dynamics.

Research Fellow Lee Jaehyon from the Seoul-based ASAN Institute for Policy Studies believes that Malaysia’s diversification efforts such as its ties with BRICS, offer fresh perspectives for ASEAN’s strategic planning, while presenting challenges in maintaining a delicate balance with traditional partners such as South Korea, Japan, and Australia.

“Malaysia’s efforts to diversify its diplomatic relations will likely influence ASEAN's leadership, potentially leading to a more nuanced approach in ASEAN’s strategic hedging,” Lee, who specialises in international relations in Southeast Asia, ASEAN, and East Asia, told Bernama recently.

He said the approach could somewhat pressure ASEAN’s traditional allies, particularly those increasingly aligned with the US, to reassess their regional strategies.

Known for its tradition of neutrality, Malaysia, which will assume the ASEAN chairmanship in 2025, has the opportunity to serve as a convening power within ASEAN, addressing the bloc’s longstanding challenges while fostering dialogue among member states.

“ASEAN’s struggle with unity is not new, but the external influences shaping these divisions make the task even more challenging.

“Malaysia’s potential to steer dialogue aimed at resolving divisions within ASEAN is significant. While a single year is insufficient to solve these issues, Malaysia can lay the groundwork for subsequent chairs to build upon,” he said.

Lee suggests that Malaysia should focus on fostering dialogue rather than introducing new institutional frameworks.

“ASEAN does not need new structures; it already has many. Adding more would only burden member states, particularly weaker ones. Malaysia should instead prioritise identifying the root causes of division and divergent interests,” he opined.

Lee also underscored Malaysia’s potential leadership in shaping ASEAN’s stance on maritime security particularly pertaining to the contentious South China Sea.

Through regional frameworks such as the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+) and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), Malaysia could play a pivotal role in enhancing collaboration and stability.

Lee said South Korea, despite its limited physical presence in the region, could play a supportive role  through capacity-building initiatives such as training, education, and defence industry development.

-- BERNAMA