Can Malaysia Unite Asean in South China Sea and Myanmar Conflicts?

That Malaysia is preparing to assume Asean next year, the nation will face two pressing problems: South China Sea dispute and ongoing conflict in Myanmar. Both challenges will require a delicate balance, and expectations are high for the prime minister Anwar Ibrahim to guide the block to unity.

At the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Vientiane on October 9, Anwar spoke of how vital dialogue and cooperation was to protect the region from outside interference.

“As global tensions continue to rise and polarization appears to prevail over integration, the cracks and divisions within Asean risk being exploited to the detriment of its centrality and cohesion,” he warned.

Analysts believe that Malaysia is well positioned to restore Asean’s centrist orientation. The country has experience in mediating regional conflicts and has taken leadership roles in important global forums such as the Non-Aligned Movement and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

“Malaysia has the advantage of having a more balanced approach and ties with both sides,” said Collins Chong Yew Keat, a foreign affairs analyst at the University of Malaya, referring to the complicated dynamics of maintaining good relations with China and the West.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks during the closing ceremony of the Asean summits in Laos earlier this month. Photo: AFP

For years, Asean has struggled to reach a consensus on the South China Sea. China’s influence is considered to weigh heavily on member states such as Cambodia and Laoswhich have received billions of US dollars worth of investment from the superpower to develop their infrastructure and economies.