• Anwar hands over ASEAN baton to Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, next chair of 11-member bloc

ISTANBUL 

Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Tuesday that the world regards Southeast Asia as the “most peaceful” region with enormous economic potential.

As the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Anwar was addressing a news conference in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur at the conclusion of the bloc’s three-day leaders’ summit.

Anwar handed over the ASEAN baton to the next chair, the Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, who will chair the bloc in 2026.

Besides 11 member nations, US President Donald Trump, his counterparts from South Africa and Brazil, South Korea, leaders from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the EU, as well as India, attended the summit.

Timor-Leste, or East Timor, was admitted as the 11th member of the bloc on day one.

In his media stakeout, Anwar addressed conflicts in Myanmar and Gaza, as well as trade, tariffs, and regional ties.

The bloc “is doing everything to bring change in Myanmar,” he said, noting that attacks on several areas had decreased in the recent past.

He said the Gaza conflict issue was raised during meetings with Trump, insisting that the US peace plan must be “fair.”

Malaysia “carried out its responsibilities” as the ASEAN chair “with a spirit of unity, patience, and steadfast leadership,” said Anwar.

The “success of the regional bloc is not only measured by the signing of documents but also by the discipline to act with patience, progress at its own pace, and remain calm amid uncertainty.”

“We are also pleased to see discussions taking place among partners and external powers. We have revitalized dialogue, built new bridges, and proven that the ASEAN machinery, when guided by patience and purpose, remains effective,” he said.

On day one of the summit, Trump and Anwar witnessed the signing of the peace accord between Cambodia and Thailand, which saw deadly border clashes in July this year.

Over the past year, Malaysia held the chairmanship under the theme of Inclusivity and Sustainability, during which it held more than 300 meetings until now, with many more scheduled to be held before the term concludes on Dec. 31, according to Bernama News.

On the South China Sea Code of Conduct between China and the ASEAN member states, Anwar said Chinese Premier Li Qiang had "agreed" to accelerate talks.

“All agreed that this region should not be an area of contestation for superpowers,” said Anwar.