SHAH ALAM - Malaysia's decision, as Chair of Asean 2025, to organise the trilateral Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-China summit is considered a timely and strategic move that could open vast potential for multilateral cooperation.
Former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin commended the decision, emphasising the need for Malaysia to reduce dependency on the United States (US), particularly under the presidency of Donald Trump and instead broaden partnerships across Asia and the Middle East.
He said the country must explore alternative avenues to expand cooperation in trade markets.
"It is important for us (Malaysia) in this region to build broader relationships with other nations such as the GCC and Northeast Asia, namely China, South Korea and Japan.
"Currently, we are facing a global situation where the US is no longer interested in promoting or championing an open global economic system, to the point of threatening other nations. It is therefore crucial that we broaden our trade markets.
"Thus, the decision made by Malaysia through the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is a very good one. Whether we like it or not, we must look for other markets,” he said during a visit to the Karangkraf Group Complex on Tuesday.
Also present during the visit were Karangkraf group adviser Datuk Hussamuddin Yaacub, Grup Buku Karangkraf chief executive officer Firdaus Hussamuddin and Sinar Karangkraf Group chief executive officer Farah Hussamuddin.
Previously, Anwar described the organisation of the Asean-GCC-China Summit as a reflection of success in reshaping the pattern of cooperation in line with the realities of a multipolar world.
He also said that it symbolised the strength of regional bloc unity, which could generate a positive global impact while contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable future.
The summit was expected to outline new strategies in trade, investment, development, sustainable infrastructure and regional digitalisation.
Collectively, Asean, the GCC and China now represent a combined economic power nearing USD 25 trillion and a population exceeding two billion people, highlighting the massive potential of this trilateral engagement.