In the evolving arena of Southeast Asian diplomacy, ASEAN provides a critical platform for fostering cooperation and stability among its member states. Founded in 1967, Asean aims to promote regional peace, economic growth and cultural exchange, making it the cornerstone of political and economic interactions in the region. In 2025, Malaysia will assume the ASEAN presidency amid high diplomatic expectations, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim seeking to consolidate Malaysia’s influence on pressing regional issues such as the South China Sea and the crisis. of Myanmar. Meanwhile, Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest nation, recently announced plans to join the Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), raising questions about the role Asean will play a role in the evolution of Indonesia’s foreign policy.

Malaysia’s ASEAN presidency

As Malaysia prepares to lead the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) in 2025, there are high hopes that it will succeed in tackling some of the region’s major challenges. Prime Minister Anwar’s government has set out a bold agenda to strengthen ASEAN’s global significance, with a focus on inclusiveness, sustainability and economic partnerships.

THE Straits Times reports that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s active diplomacy has raised hopes for what Malaysia can achieve as it prepares to lead Asean, a group that is usually slow to act. Since becoming prime minister after Malaysia’s first hung parliament in November 2022, Anwar has had a busy travel schedule, speaking on global issues that resonate well at home.

His international work will remain intense until the end of 2024. In mid-November, he plans to participate in meetings in South America, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum and the G20 summit, followed by his third has been traveling to Beijing since March 2023. He skipped the Brics summit in Russia in October and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa, choosing to focus on other diplomatic engagements. Many hope that Malaysia will advance Asean’s 2025 inclusion and sustainability goals.

Prioritizing the crisis in Myanmar

Prime Minister Anwar has taken a strong stance on Myanmar, an issue Malaysia is well-positioned to address due to its history of supporting human rights and regional stability. However, the crisis in Myanmar remains extremely difficult. Despite Asean’s five-point peace plan in 2021, little progress has been made. Since the military coup in Myanmar, nearly 6,000 people have been killed, 30,000 imprisoned and only limited humanitarian aid has reached those in need. Myanmar’s leaders have refused to collaborate with Asean peace efforts, leading to their exclusion from Asean summits since 2021 – a policy Malaysia could maintain under Anwar.

While Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan has described Malaysia’s upcoming leadership in ASEAN as an opportunity to finally resolve the Myanmar crisis, the reality is complex. According to Strait TimesThomas Daniel, a senior fellow at the Malaysian Institute of Strategic and International Studies, noted that Anwar was careful not to make big promises or even small steps, such as bringing Myanmar’s military leaders to meet groups anti-coup or authorize humanitarian aid. be a diplomatic victory.

Conflicts in the South China Sea

Resolving the crisis in Myanmar is only one aspect of the challenges facing Malaysia in its upcoming ASEAN presidency. Another important issue that requires strong diplomatic leadership is the ongoing disputes in the South China Sea. The challenge for Malaysian leadership in Asean is how to manage disputes in the South China Sea. Malaysia enjoys strong relations with China, which is ASEAN’s largest trading partner, and this has shaped its diplomatic strategies in the past. However, with growing tensions between China and the Philippines over territorial claims, particularly over China’s nine-dash line, Malaysia must handle this issue carefully to avoid antagonizing ASEAN members like the Philippines.

Asean has attempted to negotiate a code of conduct (COC) for the South China Sea with China, but many challenges have arisen, including disagreements over what the code should cover and whether the Outside countries should help resolve disputes. As tensions rise, Malaysian leaders will be closely watched to see how they manage these territorial claims while preserving Asean unity.

Indonesia turns to Brics

While Malaysia focuses on strengthening Asean, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is seeking to expand his country’s role on the world stage by joining the BRICS. In October 2024, Indonesia announced its candidacy, demonstrating its commitment to the Global South and aligning itself with countries that wish to balance Western influence in international discussions. However, the move raises questions about whether Indonesia is moving away from Asean, an organization it has traditionally helped lead.

Indonesia’s interest in BRICS aligns with Prabowo’s goal of building “good neighborly” relations and promoting unity among developing countries. Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono stressed that Brics membership was based on economic and geopolitical needs, pushing for collective action on issues such as the crises in Gaza and Lebanon and emphasizing the emphasis put by the bloc on reducing poverty and improving food security.

According to the South China Morning PostExperts say Prabowo’s goal of joining the BRICS could strengthen Indonesia’s international influence, giving it a stronger voice on issues important to the South. By becoming a Brics member, Indonesia also hopes to connect with other emerging economies, which could lead to better trade and investment opportunities with Brics members like China, Russia and India.

Implications for Asean cohesion

Indonesia’s goal of joining the BRICS has drawn mixed reactions in Southeast Asia, where Asean generally works on the basis of agreement and non-interference. As Asean’s main leader, Indonesia’s move toward Brics raises questions about its commitment to Asean’s core values. According to a South China Morning Post Although Prabowo has publicly emphasized the importance of Asean, analysts like Shafiah Muhibat of the Center for Strategic and International Studies say Indonesian foreign policy could shift toward a more active approach. This could change Asean’s traditionally cautious way of dealing with international issues.

Malaysia and Indonesia at the diplomatic crossroads

The different trajectories of Malaysia and Indonesia raise important questions about Asean’s role in the region. Malaysia is working to bring Asean countries together, while Indonesia is seeking to connect with groups outside Asean, such as the Brics. This could lead to challenges within ASEAN, particularly if Malaysia relies too heavily on its relationship with China or if Indonesia shifts its attention away from ASEAN issues.

As Malaysia prepares to lead ASEAN and Indonesia moves closer to joining the Brics, the diplomatic scenario in Southeast Asia is evolving. Malaysian leaders will have to work hard to maintain unity among ASEAN members. If Malaysia and Indonesia continue to follow different paths, it could create divisions within ASEAN. This could make it more difficult for ASEAN to collaborate on important issues and could affect the stability of the region. How Malaysia and Indonesia manage their diplomatic roles will be crucial to Asean’s future.