Source: ASEAN Secretariat.

During his opening speech at the 27th ASEAN Summit and other related meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak urged members to embrace the “ASEAN way.”

He emphasized the importance of prioritizing community and collaborative solutions over individual pursuits and self-serving goals. This approach, he stated, favors non-violent resolutions, moderation over extreme viewpoints, and respect for all, including adversaries. He stressed that true strength lies in pursuing peace and building bridges instead of fueling conflicts.

Source: ASEAN Secretariat. 

The ASEAN way, he highlighted, has yielded substantial benefits. He cited the combined GDP of US$2.6 trillion the previous year, representing an almost 80% surge in seven years. PM Najib attributed this economic growth to initiatives like the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), which has significantly lowered tariffs. This, he explained, has made goods more affordable, leaving citizens with more disposable income and fostering easier market access for businesses.

He argued that without ASEAN, unemployment would be higher. He referenced the relatively low collective unemployment rate of 3.3% among the ten nations, which he attributed to ASEAN’s attractiveness to foreign direct investment.

Additionally, ASEAN has facilitated visa-free travel for citizens across nine of its ten member states.

Several developments aimed at promoting the ASEAN way were announced at the event:

• The official establishment of the ASEAN Community, effective December 31, 2015. PM Najib projected that the economic measures under this community would boost ASEAN’s overall GDP by 7% by 2025, translating to hundreds of billions in economic gains.
• The inaugural ASEAN People’s Awards, recognizing ten individuals and organizations for their contributions to community development.
• The conclusion of the 1ASEAN Entrepreneurship Summit on November 22, which brought together 15,000 young entrepreneurs from across ASEAN.
• The creation of the ASEAN Micro and SME Growth Accelerator Exchange to support SME financing.
• The signing of the ASEAN Convention Against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children.

Source: ASEAN Secretariat.

• The signing of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together, which incorporates the ASEAN Community Vision.

Earlier that year, Malaysia also introduced GOASEAN TV, an English-language travel channel dedicated to promoting tourism within ASEAN through collaborative efforts.

Looking ahead, the PM advocated for the prompt implementation of straightforward initiatives. These included dedicated lanes for ASEAN citizens at all international entry points, prioritizing the ASEAN Business Travel Card, and bolstering ASEAN internship programs. He stressed the need for ASEAN to function more cohesively as a single entity.

He emphasized the importance of establishing a unified market and production base, advocating for the seamless flow of goods, services, skilled labor, capital, and investments. He acknowledged existing obstacles, such as non-tariff barriers that impact daily life and employment, and called for collective solutions. He further urged cooperation in tackling environmental issues like haze, natural disasters, and migration crises.

On the global stage, PM Najib urged for ASEAN to be recognized as a powerful force, greater than the sum of its parts. He emphasized the importance of upholding peace, security, and stability in the South China Sea, advocating for the peaceful resolution of disputes under international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. He appealed for restraint from all parties to avoid escalating tensions, calling it the “ASEAN way.”

PM Najib concluded by encouraging the use of “ASEAN Community” in future references. He expressed his belief in ASEAN’s potential to play a pivotal role in shaping the Asian century. He envisioned ASEAN collaborating with global partners to create a world of prosperity, peace, and openness, where tolerance and moderation replace terrorism, fostering recognition of shared humanity.