Singapore-Malaysia relationship can be ‘building block’ in strengthening ASEAN amid global challenges: PM Wong

A direction of focusing and leveraging each other’s strengths is not only in the spirit with Singapore, but can also be observed in “many other countries” within ASEAN, said Mr Anwar, highlighting their attitude in trying to resolve the “more contentious” Myanmar conflict.

Myanmar has been in a state of unrest since February 2021, when its military seized control and ousted a democratically elected government, sparking protests and leaving the junta struggling to hold on to its power.

“There is that preparedness to try and work together as a team, and that’s the only thing we can do, that we are able to do, and I would think we can resolve more complex international issues,” said Mr Anwar.

Mr Anwar is assembling a team of informal advisors in support of Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship this year. Analysts have told CNA this is a strategic effort to leverage the experiences of notable regional figures.

Mr Wong said Singapore fully supports Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN, adding that “it’s going to be more important now than ever before for ASEAN to be strong, integrated and united, because the greater competition we face is not amongst ourselves within ASEAN, it’s outside of the region”. 

“The big economies are all talking about re-shoring, on-shoring, near-shoring – they want the key projects to be nearer to their home economies. So ASEAN has to come together, look at ways in which we can enhance our value proposition and be competitive together,” said the Singapore prime minister. 

Similarly, Mr Anwar emphasised the importance of ASEAN in strengthening itself as a regional force, able to “withstand unpredictable pressures” from “other areas or groups or regions”.

“What we can do is our best for now, to strengthen our fundamentals and our force, and work as friendly nations to collaborate with all, and that’s the position Malaysia has taken.”