SINGAPORE: Asean has high expectations on Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s leadership as the regional grouping gathers for its 33rd Summit at a time of geopolitical and economic changes.
“He is the most senior leader in Asean. There are lots of expectations for him to play some kind of leadership role in some issues. We have been hearing this from some of the informal talks,” Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said.
However, the minister was tight lipped when asked if the issues would include how Asean would deal with the rift between China and the United States as reported.
“There are a couple of areas. But of course we are not in the position to say more than that,” he told Malaysian media gathered here at the island city ahead of the Asean Summit on November 11 to 15.
This is Dr Mahathir’s first official visit to Singapore since becoming the Prime Minister for the second time after Malaysia’s historic general election on May 9.
It is also the first Asean Summit he will be attending after 15 years. Last month, he attended the Asean Leaders Gathering in Bali, Indonesia.
Saifuddin said Dr Mahathir was also expected to touch upon issues with regards to Asean solidarity, economic growth and trade.
At the Asean Leaders Gathering last month, the prime minister lamented that Asean was not fully tapping its potential as an economic powerhouse despite having abundant resources and a consumer market of nearly 700 million people.
He also called on the 10-member grouping to get rid of suspicious feelings to enable the group to adhere to the principle of “prosper thy neighbour”. – Bernama
