25/10/2025

SATURDAY | OCT 25, 2025

3

Defining test of unity, diplomatic balance

Malaysia urged to champion use of lifestyle medicine KUALA LUMPUR: As regional leaders convene for the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits here this week, the Malaysian Society of Lifestyle Medicine (MSLM) has urged Malaysia to use its Asean Chairmanship to champion Lifestyle Medicine as a core strategy in Asean’s fight against non-communicable diseases (NCD). MSLM founding president Dr Siva

KUALA LUMPUR: The 47th Asean Summit hosted by Malaysia is shaping up to be a defining test of the regional bloc’s credibility, unity

o Participation of US, China top leaders reaffirms bloc’s position as trusted platform for dialogue, conflict prevention: Academic

Plan in advance, KLIA travellers told KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia has advised all guests travelling to and from Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 (KLIA T2) between tomorrow and Tuesday to plan their journeys in advance. The airline also encouraged guests to consider using alternative rail services such as the Express Rail Link (KLIA Express or KLIA Transit) in view of the 47th Asean Summit and related activities. In a statement, AirAsia said police had earlier announced rolling closures and traffic diversions to and from KLIA T2, with dry runs taking place from Thursday to today. “Guests are encouraged to allow more time for travel and arrive at least two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights. “Major highways, including the KLIA Expressway, Elite Highway (KLIA–Putrajaya), MEX Expressway and KL–Seremban Expressway, may have temporary closures and diversions to make way for official motorcades,” it said. The airline added that check-in counters at KLIA T2 will close one hour before scheduled departure time. – Bernama He said as the Indo-Pacific becomes increasingly fragmented, Asean’s unity and its ability to project moral and diplomatic consistency will determine its relevance for the next generation. “The founding vision of ‘peace through cooperation’ must now evolve into ‘sustainability through shared responsibility,’” he said. remains possible when anchored in shared responsibility and sustainability. He said Malaysia should seize the moment to promote an Asean Sustainability Compact initiatives, linking economic growth with environmental stewardship and social resilience. Under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, Zainal Abidin said Malaysia’s 2025 chairmanship seeks to integrate environmental, economic and social sustainability into the bloc’s long-term agenda, and this approach aligns with Malaysia’s Madani vision which emphasises development. “The summit provides an opportunity to advance the green economy, digital transformation and equitable growth, while strengthening regional stability through cooperation with both superpowers.” Zainal Abidin said in balancing relations between Washington and Beijing, Asean must navigate the strategic competition between US and China with prudence and collective strength. “Asean should not be seen as a pawn in power politics, but as a platform of shared leadership”.

Poobalasingam said Malaysia’s leadership of Asean in 2025 offers an opportune moment to strengthen regional health cooperation as member states work to address rising rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other NCD. “As Chair of the Advisory Board of the Lifestyle Medicine Global Alliance, I believe Malaysia must lead Asean in integrating Lifestyle Medicine into public health policy – especially when NCD account for about 62% of deaths in the region,” he told Bernama.

and diplomatic balance as United States (US) President Donald Trump and Chinese Premier Li Qiang are set to attend, a rare convergence of the world’s two largest powers on Asean soil. Their simultaneous presence is expected to transform the summit into a critical test of Asean’s long-standing principle of centrality amid mounting

The summit will not only highlight Asean’s diplomatic dexterity but also its moral coherence and ability to engage all partners without being drawn into rivalry, he told Bernama yesterday. “Asean’s sustainability depends on balance, the ability to keep peace while advancing prosperity. This is where Malaysia’s leadership through principled pragmatism becomes crucial,” he said. He added that the presence of both Trump and Li gives a rare opportunity for Asean to demonstrate that cooperation

Madani Department lecturer Prof Dr Zainal Abidin Sanusi said Asean’s strength lies not in taking sides, but in building bridges. He said the participation of both Washington and Beijing’s top leaders reaffirms Asean’s position as a trusted platform for dialogue and conflict prevention. Zainal Abidin said amid global tensions and shifting alliances, the summit will reveal whether Asean can continue to act as a neutral and sustainable convener in an increasingly polarised world. Studies

strategic

rivalry

between

He said lifestyle medicine – an evidence based discipline that prevents and manages chronic diseases through healthy behaviour change – aligns closely with the Asean Post 2015 Health Development Agenda and the bloc’s emerging Post-2025 Vision, which prioritises health resilience and sustainable development. “Lifestyle medicine emphasises six pillars – a predominantly plant-based diet, regular physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, avoidance of harmful substances and positive social connections,” he said. Siva said Malaysia’s success with the World Health Organisation–Health Ministry pilot project on “Lifestyle Medicine for Remission of Diabetes” in Negeri Sembilan has positioned the country as a regional model for evidence-based intervention. “The project combined clinical practice, training and policy development. It demonstrated how lifestyle medicine can be implemented within public primary care and its framework could be adopted across Asean,” he said. He added that MSLM has proposed the establishment of an Asean Centre for Lifestyle Medicine in Malaysia to support policy development, capacity building and the integration of lifestyle medicine into member states’ health systems. Siva said Malaysia’s efforts to positionl lifestyle medicine on the Asean agenda reflect the summit’s broader theme of building a resilient, inclusive and healthy Asean community.

Washington and Beijing. International Islamic University Malaysia Political Science and

Zainal Abidin said the summit provides an opportunity to advance the green economy, digital transformation and equitable growth, while strengthening regional stability through cooperation with both superpowers. – ADIB RAWI YAHYA/THESUN

Two historic milestones highlight of conference: Sec-gen KUALA LUMPUR: The 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits to be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here will live up to Malaysia’s Chairmanship theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, said Foreign Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin. Asean Chairmanship this year. “The admission of Timor-Leste as Asean’s 11th member state epitomises inclusivity by expanding our Asean family to embrace a nation whose aspirations align with our shared values of peace and cooperation. unity, consensus and mutual respect. He also expressed confidence that the SOM would produce meaningful recommendations for Asean leaders to consider during the summit, reinforcing the region’s collective vision for a more inclusive and sustainable future. Suryodipuro from Indonesia, Phongsavanh Sisoulath from Laos, Han Win Aung from Myanmar, Hellen B. De La Vega from the Philippines, Albert Chua from Singapore, Eksiri Pintaruchi from Thailand and Dang Hoang Giang from Vietnam.

Also present were Timor-Leste’s SOM representative Milena Maria da Costa Rangel and deputy secretary general of Asean for Asean Political Security Community Datuk Astanah Abdul Aziz. As Asean Chair this year, Malaysia will host the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits from tomorrow to Tuesday, bringing together leaders from the 10 member states and dialogue partners, including the United States, China, Japan and South Korea. – Bernama

“Second, the 20th anniversary of the EAS stands as a testament to two decades of strategic dialogue and cooperation that have strengthened regional stability and reaffirmed Asean’s central role in shaping a peaceful and prosperous regional order,” he said in his opening remarks at the meeting, held ahead of the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits. Amran said these milestones serve as a reminder that Asean’s strength lies in its ability to evolve while remaining anchored in its founding principles of

“As we (Malaysia) prepare to pass the gavel, we do so with pride in our collective achievements and deep confidence in the robust foundations we have laid together. Let us carry this same spirit of cooperation as we move towards the 47th Asean Summit and beyond,” he said. The closed-door meeting was attended by SOM representatives from Asean member states, including Johariah Wahab from Brunei, Kung Phoak from Cambodia, Sidharto Reza

He said this can be seen through two historic milestones that will be highlighted during the summit, namely the admission of Timor-Leste as Asean’s 11th member state and the 20th anniversary of the East Asia Summit (EAS). Amran, who chaired the Asean Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) yesterday, said both milestones symbolise Asean’s enduring commitment to inclusivity and sustainability, which define Malaysia’s