ASEAN, undoubtedly the most influential and coveted bloc in Asia, stands at the epicentre of attention as its 47th Summit gets underway. World leaders, including US President Donald Trump, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Japan’s new Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, are in attendance. Chinese Premier Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi are conspicuous by their absence, though Prime Minister Modi will participate virtually.

Given the presence of these global leaders, expectations are naturally high. For  Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, the summit represents a defining moment to reaffirm ASEAN’s relevance amid shifting power dynamics and deepening schisms across........

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