This article first appeared in Forum, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on May 19, 2025 - May 25, 2025

As Malaysia prepares to host the 46th Asean Summit on May 26 and 27 in Kuala Lumpur, we stand at a pivotal moment — not just for Malaysia, but for Asean as a whole. The world is watching and we have an opportunity to lead by example: not through pomp and pageantry, but through purpose and performance.

This summit — bringing together the 10 Asean heads of government, the Gulf Cooperation Council and possibly China — must move beyond diplomatic niceties and ceremonial indulgences. We need breakthroughs, not banquets. We need consensus, not compromise. And we need bold leadership to make it happen.

Malaysia, under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s Asean chairmanship, must embrace a fresh, reformist approach that prioritises substance over ceremony. Asean has long been criticised for its procedural rigidity and “lowest common denominator” approach, where the veto of a single member can dilute the impact of joint decisions.

The 46th summit should mark a turning point.

Let us tone down the excess protocol — red carpets, long opening pleasantries — and focus instead on candid dialogue and concrete action. Consolidate ceremonial dinners into one private leadership gathering to encourage informal rapport. Encourage fewer speeches and more negotiations. Leaders should arrive not to endorse what their senior officials have already ironed out but to resolve what remains unresolved — the difficult decisions that matter most.

The role of the Malaysian prime minister is not merely ceremonial. As chair, Anwar can and must set the tone for a high-impact summit. He must dare to ask: Can we do better? Can we reach consensus where others could not?

Just as former minister of international trade and industry Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz once led Asean meetings with grit and pragmatism — doing away with ceremonial speeches to focus on outcomes — Anwar should follow suit. Open the meeting with a clear directive: Let’s skip the pleasantries and dive straight into the agenda. If leaders wish to express gratitude, let them weave it into the substance of their contributions.

Asean summits often see heads of government rubber-stamping what senior officials have pre-agreed. But imagine the difference if Anwar personally intervenes to bridge unresolved differences — be it on regional integration, the AEC (Asean Economic Community) Strategic Plan 2026–2030 or cross-pillar coordination. With a few persuasive conversations, he could turn impasses into progress. That would be statesmanship in action.

Behind every effective chair is a team that ensures nothing falls through the cracks. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia must play a crucial behind-the-scenes role — not just in logistics, but in substance management.

When senior Asean officials fail to reach consensus on a policy or framework, these points must be flagged — clearly and urgently — to the prime minister. With timely intelligence, Anwar can engage dissenting leaders in informal settings, using Malaysia’s goodwill and his personal gravitas to seek alignment for the greater good of Asean. This kind of diplomatic man­oeuvring, often outside formal sessions, can pave the way for breakthrough agreements that otherwise would not make the final communiqué.

Malaysia has a unique chance to set a new standard for what an Asean summit can and should be. Let us be remembered not for extravagant displays but for visionary leadership and bold decisions. A modest summit, conducted with humility and focus, can project real strength and credibility.

The Asean Summit should not be just another diplomatic event checked off the calendar. It must be remembered as a milestone — where Asean chose to act rather than posture and Malaysia led not just with grace but with guts.

This is a thoughtful and responsible call — not only to the prime minister and Wisma Putra but to all Asean leaders. Don’t let the opportunity slip by. Let Malaysia show that meaningful diplomacy doesn’t require extravagance — just clarity of vision, courage to act and commitment to a shared future.

If we get this right, the 46th Asean Summit will be a defining moment — not just for our country, but for an Asean ready to rise to its full potential.

Pola Singh is the former head of the ‘Initiatives for Asean Integration’ Unit at the Asean Secretariat in Jakarta. He was previously attached to the Economic Planning Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department.

Save by subscribing to us for your print and/or digital copy.

P/S: The Edge is also available on Apple's App Store and Android's Google Play.