Malaysia leads Asean to peace, trade and unity with Trump in the room

[KUALA LUMPUR] Once dismissed as a “talk shop” of cautious consensus, Asean this year found its voice, with Malaysia giving it a stage at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

Under Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s chairmanship, the regional bloc delivered long-overdue results, including expanding its ranks, mediating peace and reaffirming its centrality in a world fractured by rivalry and protectionism.

Chief among them was the formal admission of Timor-Leste as Asean’s 11th member, fulfilling a decade-old commitment and reflecting the grouping’s continued inclusivity.