Don T Let Trump Outshine Pressing Issues During Asean Summit

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As more than 30 heads of states - including US President Donald Trump - gather in Kuala Lumpur this weekend for the 2025 Asean Summit, analysts stressed that the success of Malaysia’s Asean leadership should be measured by impact, instead of optics of its high-profile guest list.
Institute of Strategic Studies Malaysia (Isis) head of foreign affairs Thomas Daniel also reminded Putrajaya that Trump’s presence should not outshine important regional issues within Asean.
“There is a lot going on within Asean, such as the Digital Economic Framework, a lot of this socio-cultural integration, and efforts for Asean to become more streamlined and more integrated.
“These are the ‘boring stuff’, which are still important for ongoing regionalisation efforts in Southeast Asia.
ADS“And a huge part of this is also the responsibility of Asean - both the chair and the member states - to show that tangible things are being achieved without minimising the fact that there are also ongoing challenges,” Daniel told Malaysiakini.
Prime Minister Anwar IbrahimPreviously, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim described the summit as one of the largest in Asean’s history, emphasising Malaysia’s commitment to ensuring that the discussion yields tangible outcomes.
He had also described it as an opportunity to strengthen global partnerships and reinforce Asean as a platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration among key economies.
Further, Anwar stressed that Trump’s presence would also provide an opportunity to deepen Malaysia-US ties and address pressing international concerns.
This includes issues such as the genocide in Gaza and improving regional peace efforts, especially in relation to the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar.
Policy responses, not celebrity diplomacy
Echoing Daniel’s sentiments, security analyst Munira Mustaffa said the summit would be deemed less impactful if it were only remembered for Trump’s attendance and how Anwar had hosted all the world leaders.
Munira added that issues such as those involving Myanmar and the South China Sea require “sustained technical attention and coordinated policy responses,” instead of “celebrity diplomacy.”
“At this year’s summit, there might be a risk of it becoming more about managing personalities, instead of advancing regional solutions.
“When global heavyweights dominate the agenda, Asean might lose control of its own narrative, and it risks becoming a venue, instead of a serious actor,” she told Malaysiakini.
Munira MustaffaNevertheless, Munira did not disregard the possibility of major powers at this year’s summit possibly increasing pressure on the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, especially in light of the junta’s upcoming elections.
“I'm cautiously optimistic with significant reservations… However, Asean’s consensus model and several members' relationships with the Myanmar military might make bold action unlikely,” she added.
ADS‘Critical test’
Another real challenge of the Asean Summit, Munira added, is whether Malaysia can translate the top leaders’ attendance into substantive South-to-South cooperation frameworks that build actual capacity, not just produce more declarations.
While Malaysia is “exceptionally well positioned” as this year’s Asean chair, Munira said it was also a “critical test” for Malaysia’s ambitions in galvanising the Global South.
“Our dual institutional positioning as both Asean chair and Brics participant means that we can sit at the intersection of regional and plurilateral Global South mechanisms, and it kind of gives us this unusual convening power.
“Our development model as a middle-income tech-enabled Muslim-majority democracy is also quite credible. It offers a replicable pathway that many Global South nations find more relevant than Western development prescriptions.
“Plus, our geographic position also makes us a natural connector between the Middle East, South Asia, and East Asia,” she added.
Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (Asli) analyst Anas Hayyan pointed out that while the summit’s diversity in its high-profile guest list is advantageous to Malaysia, it also comes with its own set of challenges.
“There will be contests, especially given the different political and economic interests of the likes of the US, China, and Brics.
“For example, some issues, particularly around trade and regional security, will see differences emerge, especially with ongoing tensions in the South China Sea and Myanmar.
“While Malaysia’s role is to navigate those divides, the goal will still be to maintain Asean’s centrality in global affairs and avoid fractures that could derail the bloc’s collective influence,” he told Malaysiakini.
Further, Anas also reminded the public that such regional and multi-lateral meetings at the summit, “may not always result in immediate, tangible returns.”
“But the value often lies in having our voice heard, in shaping the negotiations, and in setting the stage for future engagements.
“While not every outcome will show instant benefits, it’s important to position Malaysia as a trusted partner, ensuring that we are part of the conversations that matter long-term,” he said.
Focus on trade
On what possible outcomes one can look forward to in the Asean Summit, analyst James Chai, a former fellow at Singapore’s Yusof Ishak Institute, said it would be on bilateral and multilateral trade deals.
Emphasising how the US remains one of the biggest trading partners for Asean, he stressed that the summit also presents an opportunity for the regional bloc to work more cohesively in economic and trade negotiations.
Regarding more “traditional” regional issues, such as territorial disputes within the South China Sea and Myanmar’s ongoing military conflict, Chai expected that such issues would likely be addressed more “broadly,” as trade would likely remain the biggest priority.
He highlighted how one of the challenges often faced by Asean on such matters is often related to the organisation’s policy of non-interference, hence, the difficulty of producing tangible outcomes.
"Asean has never had a habit of criticising other countries’ domestic affairs… For example, any serious Asean chair would want to try to resolve the issue of Myanmar.
“But because of how difficult it is, they will usually go back to issues that can bring tangible benefit instead, such as trade,” Chai told Malaysiakini.
Long-term frameworks
For Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship to be remembered, Chai urged leaders to deliberate on long-term regional frameworks - including those related to energy, climate, and technological developments across Asean.
He also suggested that Malaysia uphold its momentum and relationship with other Global South countries beyond this year’s chairmanship – including consistent diplomatic visits and engagements.
While acknowledging that it has been a good year for Malaysia in terms of managing Asean, Chai stressed the need for strong follow-up actions, citing the clash between Thailand and Cambodia in July as an example.
“If Malaysia doesn’t continue to do much in 2026, we could risk slipping back into obscurity,” he said, adding that Malaysia’s role in brokering peace between Cambodia and Thailand may be remembered even after Malaysia is no longer the Asean chair.
Apart from Trump, other prominent leaders expected to attend the summit include Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, European Council president António Costa, and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.
Last week, Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said 84 outcome documents are expected to be issued, reflecting Malaysia’s commitment to advancing the region’s shared vision towards Asean 2045.
Foreign Minister Mohamad HasanThis year’s summit will also feature the signing of the Instrument of Accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, and the welcoming of Timor-Leste as Asean’s newest member state.
Further, Trump is scheduled to conduct a bilateral meeting with Anwar. Later, the US president will take part in a signing ceremony with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Premier Anutin Charnvirakul - believed to involve a border dispute agreement between the two countries. - Mkini

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