Southeast Asian foreign ministers met this year under the regional bloc’s new chair, Malaysia, seeking a breakthrough over Myanmar’s drawn-out civil war and territorial disputes in the South China Sea

As Flight MH1432 prepared to touch down at Langkawi International Airport on Wednesday (Jan 15), the announcement over the intercom served as a poetic prelude to the wonders awaiting its passengers.

Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) discussed developments in the South China Sea (SCS), Myanmar and the Middle East during a retreat in Langkawi, Malaysia on Sunday.

Singapore’s foreign affairs minister was speaking after the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Langkawi on Jan 18 and 19, the first high-level meeting hosted by Malaysia as the bloc’s 2025 chair.

The first ASEAN ministerial level meeting held under the chairmanship of Malaysia concluded on Sunday (Jan 19), with the Southeast Asian grouping pledging to deepen collaboration and strengthen unity amid a shift in global order.

Foreign Minister Sugiono has called for unity and the strengthening of ASEAN institutional capacity, underlining that it was “no longer possible” for Southeast Asian countries to go it alone as the current geopolitical landscape continues to present threats to the stability and security of the region.

LANGKAWI, Malaysia -- Claims that Donald Trump and key aides have little interest in Southeast Asia are "speculation", the Philippine Foreign Secretary has said in a bid to dampen anxiety in the region two days ahead of the American president-elect's return to the White House.

The regional bloc ASEAN and China should make headway on a protracted code of conduct for the South China Sea by tackling thorny "milestone issues", including its scope and if it can be legally binding,

The regional bloc told a junta representative at a meeting that a poll is “not a priority at the moment," Malaysia’s foreign minister said.

Southeast Asian foreign ministers gathered Sunday for their first meeting this year under the regional bloc's new chair, Malaysia, seeking a breakthrough over Myanmar’s drawn-out civil war and territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

Southeast Asian nations told Myanmar's military government on Sunday (Jan 19) its plan to hold an election amid an escalating civil war should not be its priority, urging the junta to start dialogue and end hostilities immediately.

Beijing has offered closer security cooperation with Southeast Asian countries to combat scam syndicates operated by Chinese nationals in the region.