VERBATIM TEXT: SPEECH BY THE HONOURABLE DATO’ SERI ANWAR BIN IBRAHIM PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA AT THE TIMOR-LESTE: BUILDING SHARED FUTURE WITH ASEAN DINNER & FUNDRAISING

VERBATIM TEXT 

SPEECH BY 

THE HONOURABLE DATO’ SERI ANWAR BIN IBRAHIM

PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA 

AT THE

TIMOR-LESTE: BUILDING SHARED FUTURE WITH ASEAN

DINNER & FUNDRAISING 

28 OCTOBER 2025, TUESDAY

SUNWAY RESORT HOTEL, PETALING JAYA

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh dan salam Sejahtera.

1. Saya ucap terima kasih kepada rakan-rakan saya, Tian Chua, dan rakan-rakan yang lain yang membantu menyelenggara majlis pada malam ini, dan tentunya sebagai satu negara yang prihatin dan secara konsisten mendukung perjuangan rakyat dan pembebasan, kita alu-alukan kepada kemerdekaan Timor-Leste tetapi juga penerimaan rakan-rakan ASEAN sebagai anggota ASEAN yang ke-11 pada kali ini. Terima kasih.

Your Excellency,

2. I just can’t believe you are now an Excellency President José Ramos-Horta. Congratulations. You deserve it. And you have endured a long struggle and even your ascension to ASEAN, you made that reference which is penetrating to the heart. You said that it is easier to go to heaven than to be accepted by ASEAN. You must have diplomatic skills. There is a very undiplomatic statement to make. Luckily, you have Malaysia as Chairman. We pushed hard and thank God you have succeeded.

3. Now let me share with you why I took it as both the Malaysian position and also personal battle. Now, President José Ramos-Horta was right in saying that to do justice to Malaysia. Earlier, Prime Minister had been consistent. Tun Mahathir was one of the earliest that gave recognition to the dependents and send a team from the armed forces, peacekeeping. And I mentioned this even to during my speech to the parliament in Delhi. But the next stage of course essential to ASEAN.

4. Well, it is mind boggling. Why is it so difficult? Timor- Leste has always been part of ASEAN when they were part of Indonesia. So, to me it’s just a matter of process. And they happen to be to have experienced such trials, such tribulations, such tragedy. I mean, compared to the population of Timor-Leste, it’s heartbreaking to know that so many lives were lost in the process. From the days of Portuguese colonization. And you go to Timor-Leste, you see new buildings, offices, schools, hardly anything.

5. Pakistan, of course, it is a poor country. Forgive me saying that, President José Ramos-Horta, to share this with the Malaysians. It is. But do we engage with countries because the economic strength? No, we engage countries among neighbors or the region, for their ideals, their vision, their principles, their policies. Just because you happen to be poor at this stage. We were poor when we retained independence. Cambodia and Laos were relatively very poor when they were accepted into ASEAN. Although still took some years. But I must say that the experience the Timor-Leste is really unfortunate.

6. And therefore, when I assumed the Chairmanship ASEAN, I told the team, the Foreign Ministry and the Cabinet, I said, look, our aim is to make sure before we surrender your office to the next Chairman, Timor-Leste must be a member, full member of ASEAN.

7. And the process was tedious. The process was tedious because to become member there are certain parameters that must be met. Legislation, political corridor, economic corridor, too many corridors to reach. Well, they have a problem. So, I said to my colleagues, then help them contribute. We did. We gave funds through the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta. We sent staff, many, I did to bring them to Kuala Lumpur or Putrajaya and to send our people to Dili. I mean, that’s what a comradeship is all about. That’s what humanity is all about. That we were talking about. Aspirations, ideals, justice, you know. I mean, a country that been completely devastated, hardly any economic growth need to be assisted.

8. But I am like President José Ramos-Horta. I have great expectations. You know why? Because there’s a moral clarity in the leadership. What the world lacks now is a voice of conscience, moral clarity. And this country, this man President José Ramos-Horta has that which the world lacks.

9. And in Timor-Leste Parliament, I emphasize that point. I said, you know, this relatively poor country, but he had the tenacity, courage and conviction way around the world. And I happened to be in prison. He was engaging with Azizah and Nurul Izzah and our friends and said that he has a role. So, interesting enough, when I met Kofi Annan after I was released, he said, how close are you with President José Ramos-Horta? You see, I know him, not too close. I said, why? But he kept on calling me, harassing me, insisting that do something to secure Anwar’s release. You know, it’s an issue of conscience. That’s what we lack moral clarity, moral voice, voice of reason.

10. So, I say this to President José Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Rala Xanana Gusmão that you please remain consistent and continue that mission. Build a country, focus on economic fundamentals, strengthen education, training. And when our investors go, I always mention, yes, of course, you need, you invest because you need profit. Fair. I don’t question that. Never lose sight of the fact that there are responsibilities that come with that. We are not ex-colonial masters that come and exploit our countries and the resources. We go good commercial deal, profit, but there must be transfer technology training of the young and giving back through all possible schemes to the people.

11. There was an instruction to PETRONAS, even before PETRONAS could expand their activities, provide scholarship for students from Timor-Leste to study at Petronas University. And here Vincent, Jeffrey Cheah and all these big tycoons here. It has enormous potential.

12. Once they are now as a full member of ASEAN, there will be series of conferences and attendance. And I have told a number of my colleagues with ASEAN, I express, “what you have not been to Timor-Leste?” Although I’ve just been there two months back (joking tone). So, I was surprised to see that you must have in your agenda. I told Bongbong Marcos, you assume the leadership. You must be seen to be in Timor-Leste because you have to cover all ASEAN countries, the eleven.

13. I mentioned to some other friends. Of course I wouldn’t mention here. The delegation with business delegation with business proposal. And I mentioned to the President and the Prime Minister, make sure that you have clarity in the policies. Make sure you have proper incentives. Make sure that you execute speedily and avoid this rotten tradition of corruption by political leaders or by the public service. That’s what we mean by moral voice.

14. Get them to invest, make sure it’s clear and understand that nobody would want to invest without an assurance of profit. Be effective, execute speedily, have efficient civil service. And I told Tan Sri Jeffrey Cheah, go to Timor-Leste and invest there. And you will put some pointers points. Similarly, Tan Sri Vincent Tan, don’t talk about or don’t think about projects and contracts here. I will not approve any projects if you do not show that you invest in Malaysia and invest in Timor-Leste. For both, thank you.

15. President José Ramos-Horta, you see, I’m quite excited. I’m talking from a friend. I want you to succeed because I want friends who have that moral clarity, moral voice. And you have an advantage as you are ASEAN and you have also this Portuguese speaking thing, that’s why President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was excited with Timor-Leste.

16. And people criticize just because they see this blanket view. Malaysia today is not because of me. Because my team, thousands and thousands of volunteers and staff have dedicated their life worked very hard to ensure that the entire conference series of conferences are successful. Give credit to them. The whole world is looking, the whole world looks at Malaysia in a positive light. Yet you have this some, you know.

17. We can’t stop some ridiculous voices selling to America. Why must you invite Trump? I invited Trump and I used the equation to be in the beast. We were all in the beast. I don’t know what it means. For 35 or 40 minutes there was slow right from KLIA to the hotel, I make full use talk about tariffs. He asked about South China Sea and continue to urge him continue that just amicable resolution through a comprehensive deal, comprehensive solution on the issue of Gaza and Palestine, including the West Bank. I mean, we do that.

18. I do that in confidence. I repeated that during the ASEAN-US Meeting and the Bilateral Meeting Malaysia- United States. That’s the best we can do. But of course, we have to do with wisdom, with diplomacy, that you must regain his trust prepared to listen. And to me, I said, I’ve done, I’ve tried my best. I’ve tried my best to represent the country, this country, to protect the interests of our people, to attract investment for Malaysia. And I’ve done my best to champion the cause of Gaza.

19. May Allah help us. Thank you very much.

VERBATIM TEXT

JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE BETWEEN

MALAYSIA AND AUSTRALIA

BY THE

HONOURABLE DATO’ SERI ANWAR BIN IBRAHIM PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA

28^th OCTOBER 2025

1. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and ministers and colleagues, thank you very much. I said this earlier that Prime Minister Albanese has been a committed friend, has been very supportive of our ventures, and my meetings with him have been very fruitful, very candid, very open. Both of us have really committed to enhance bilateral relations in terms of serious trade, investment, and ventures.

2. This working, the decision by Monash University to operate from TRX, a very prestigious area is something very impressive. It signifies clear commitment on the part of Australia to take Malaysia very seriously. And now with the bank and the port facility, I commend him for this commitment and his support.

3. He promised to come again early next year when both of us will visit the university. And as a good politician, he honours his promise. I have no doubt about that. That’s why he won comfortably in the last elections — convincingly.

4. There are issues that we’ll have to — The Director General, of the Department of Islamic Development and Department of Agriculture and Forestry is here on the halal operations, and we do import quite a bit. So, I think we should facilitate that process.

5. Agriculture, you’ve been extremely successful. No issue about that. And we will strongly depend on you to share your expertise and get our team to go and work on the possibility of improving not only in terms of production but also irrigation and the related subjects which the Ministry of Agriculture is looking at it very seriously.

6. You mentioned education, energy, the Deputy Prime Minister has been discussing with his counterpart in Australia to again work on new areas. Of course, very successful venture Lynas. We had some issues in the beginning, but now we have decided to proceed, and it is one of the major investments of Lynas into Malaysia.

7. And when I met them, I insisted that they proceed with the research facilities, centre of excellence, and training of our personnel, young, qualified engineers here, and they are doing that very seriously. I need the support of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on this.
8. The rest will cover the other issues: water management and the rest, youth and sports. Most students are going to Australia partly because you’ve had that track record. Some of your universities, including Monash of course, is outstanding. I’ve been there, not to study, but to give lectures, very little honorary now. I’m not complaining. I’m complaining in my previous position, but they gave me a great opportunity for the exchanges, research, and I’m grateful for that.

9. We discussed this on transnational crime, cybersecurity, which I think we need to work on it, and the various Ministers present. And also, we will probably, I will alert my Cabinet on Friday. No, no, Friday, there’s no Cabinet Meeting, I’m sorry. I’m leaving on Thursday. Ouh, what a relief again (said jokingly). No, relief to my members. I’m keen to attend Cabinet meetings.

10. Now I’m also thankful that you have taken a strong position on cessation of hostilities in Gaza. Here, people are very passionate, and I’ve been to Australia, people also very, very strong in that.

11. I’ve also had intimate discussions with President Donald Trump on this to make sure that this first phase is effective and then proceed on the more comprehensive solution to the conflict, including two state solution, because that’s to me critical. Because in these days and age, you talk about democratic transition, you talk about globalisation, multilateralism, and you condone these killings is just totally unacceptable and hypocritical.

12. So, I do express my appreciation, I mean, to Penny Wong earlier and now to you, that you have taken that position at least to stop these hostilities and stop the killings and get humanitarian assistance in and work towards a more comprehensive solution.

13. So, thank you again, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, for being here and more important, as a friend, as a true friend, who have committed to come again early next year.

Thank you.

Q&A SESSION

Question 1: Kristina – New Strait Times

Dato seri, with regards to the bilateral meeting today, how do both Malaysia and Australia plan to ensure that moving forward the strategic partnership between both countries are strong, especially in areas that will define the next phase of cooperation between our two countries? We’ve seen MoU exchange today in several sectors, particularly the education right? But, how do both governments plan to further expand these collaborations to benefit our future generations? Thank you.

Answer 1:

Normally the process we have adopted is that once this is agreed, then the following cabinet meeting will go through, then the various ministers or departments will be assigned to then follow through again and then given a month or two months they have to submit the report. So, that to ensure effective and efficient execution of the decision.

Question 2: 

Could you please expand on what you meant by that and in practical terms, what countries should be doing and Prime Minister Anwar, you talk about wanting to be friends with everyone here in the region. A Chinese military jet released flares dangerously close to an Australian surveillance aircraft over the South China Sea. Do friends fire flares?

Answer 2:

Now, once we establish the facts, we will raise engagement does not mean condoning whatever excesses and the Chinese know that in my private exchanges with President Donald Trump, I know we are represented very small country and relatively small economy, but still we represent the nation and we have the right to express of course, we have the, we need the wisdom not to be seen to be unnecessarily combative but we should bring it up once it is established and maybe seriously if it is established.

I would do my part because I think it is important for all of us to express, whether publicly or privately or whatever form our concern that this region must remain free and the policy of centrality does not mean that we don’t say anything centrality means we do express I mean, we have centrality, but we do engage with Myanmar with the issues on Gaza or Russia, Ukraine. All right, thank you.

VERBATIM TEXT 

BILATERAL MEETING BETWEEN

MALAYSIA AND CANADA

OPENING REMARKS BY

THE HONOURABLE DATO’ SERI ANWAR BIN IBRAHIM

PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA

27 OCTOBER 2025

I should say Terima kasih and thank you to Prime Minister Mark Carney. Congratulations for now at the helm of the government of Canada. Tough times, but I’m sure you can maneuver and navigate well.

But back to our bilateral relations with Canada has been very close, as I told you, from the days of, particularly during Paul Martin.

I told the Prime Minister (Mark Carney) that every day during the entire trial, from the people from the High Commission will be there without fail, every day in the trial. They went there for years to do that because there was instruction by the Prime Minister (Paul Martin).

So, I’m very, at a personal level, very thankful, appreciative, meaningful friendship and, you know, defense of justice and freedom.

But on our trade and investments, other than, of course, Petronas, who’s doing extremely well. Thank you again and they’re very happy. They gave, I think, last week’s report things doing extremely well, but I think we need to expand just more areas.

And now that we have other issues coming countries, I think, opening up for educational opportunities, research. I visited most of the universities in Canada, speaking engagements and meetings, both in office and out of office, more out of office than in. So, I think we look forward to this, of collaboration.

We have discussed this even at the Cabinet and I think we have given a decision to, you know, to give priority to our relations with Canada.

Thank you Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, the New Zealand team, joiners, colleagues. I’m here just to assure you that we’ll continue and we have benefited immensely from this enduring partnership with New Zealand and we are extremely excited.

New commitments, renewed commitments again and as you have heard yourself in the ASEAN – New Zealand Summit, that all of us without exception, if there’s consensus we want this to be further enhanced, and that means precisely to support all your initiatives because even within ASEAN, we are now focusing on intra-ASEAN investments and trade and we expand of course, to New Zealand. Will cross over Australia from time to time, don’t need to worry about it, certainly. Thank you.

So enjoy your lunch and thank you. This enduring partnership has been for 50 years and the last 50 years, looking at the notes from 1977 here, we have not encountered any serious problems.

Well, I’m not assuming that they haven’t problems, but naturally we consider you a great friend, a great team, and I have no doubt that our colleagues in ASEAN share my sentiments. So thank you again. Thank you for the lunch and bon appétit.

Assalamulaikum Warahmatullah, selamat pagi. Terima kasih. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon New Zealand, Your Majesty, Excellencies, warm welcome to the Prime Minister. They’ve been here with us a few days and meeting bilaterally and sub regional with many of us. So thank you again.

And the country coordinator is of course Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. We are here to celebrate the partnership not only have endured for so long, but to seek ways to enhance that sovereign relations. And we are celebrating, that’s more important, and we’ve been promised a good lunch. Good luck.

The theme – inclusivity and sustainability is the practical lens through which we seek to shape this future, Aotearoa (ah-teh-ro-ah), right? Aotearoa New Zealand, we have found a partner who understands these imperatives.

New Zealand has stood with ASEAN through moments of prosperity and in times of trial, from humanitarian crises to global uncertainties. So, the conversations will, of course, open up new avenues to not only navigate but also explore new opportunities.

So, thank you again for your enduring friendship. Kia Ora, and welcome.

Now, let us begin with Prime Minister Luxon, the Co-Chair, to deliver his opening remarks.

VERBATIM TEXT

OPENING REMARKS BY

THE HONOURABLE DATO’ SERI ANWAR BIN IBRAHIM

PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA

AT THE

15TH ASEAN – UNITED NATIONS (UN) SUMMIT

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

1. Excellency Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations. Welcome to the 15th ASEAN – United Nations Summit.

2. But before that, can I express how glad we are? Not only due to your presence, but your voice of conscience, your courage and being very consistent and coherent in defending the entire spirit of multilateral arrangements and defending freedom and respecting rights of countries of minorities.

3. And I think, certainly, I think we must say that it’s a challenge, but we admire your tenacity and your courage, including some very, what I said earlier about intractable cases like Gaza, the atrocities committed and you have been, you know, very consistent, the voice of reason and the voice of conscience. So, thank you very much.

4. And I would begin, of course, by inviting you, Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, to deliver your opening remarks.

TEKS UCAPAN

YAB DATO’ SERI ANWAR BIN IBRAHIM

PERDANA MENTERI

SEMPENA

PERASMIAN PERSIDANGAN ASEAN: PERKHIDMATAN AWAM BERSEDIA MENGHADAPI MASA HADAPAN

(ASEAN CONFERENCE ON FUTURE-READY PUBLIC SERVICE)

7 OKTOBER 2025 (SELASA) | 12.00 TENGAH HARI

SUNWAY RESORT HOTEL

SELANGOR

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh dan salam sejahtera.

His Excellency Tan Sri Shamsul Azri bin Abu Bakar,

Chief Secretary to the Goverment of Malaysia;

His Excellency Tan Sri Wan Ahmad Dahlan bin Haji Abdul

Aziz,

Director-General Public Service Department of Malaysia;

Heads of Civil Service from ASEAN Member States and Timor Leste;

Dan tetamu yang saya muliakan dan saudara-saudari.

1. Saya alu-alukan langkah positif, ikhtiar yang dibuat oleh khususnya KPPA dan pentadbiran awam negara kita untuk bukan sekadar mengumpul kekuatan dalam ASEAN tetapi kesediaan untuk merenung dan mencari kaedah-kaedah baru untuk mempertingkat mutu khidmat kita.

2. Dalam penjawat awam ini tentu ada dua tarikan yang menyebabkan ada sedikit pertembungan, satu ialah kekuatan pentadbiran awam atau yang disebut birokrasi itu adalah terikat dengan peraturan dan juga kaedah lama yang harus dipatuhi, yang menyebabkan dia merupakan sesuatu kekuatan institusi.

3. Dalam masa yang sama, dia juga harus merupakan satu agensi yang cepat menangkap isu semasa dan ketuntutan perubahan. Dan dengan apa yang diungkapkan oleh Tan Sri KSN sebagai post normal times, tentunya tuntutan itu merupakan satu kewajipan atau kemestian yang mesti dilakukan dengan segera.

4. Jadi, kekuatan dan keupayaan saudara-saudara ialah mempertemukan kedua-duanya. Nama birokrasi dan penjawat awam itu menuntut kaedah dan peraturan dan prosedur dipatuhi, dan ini tentunya terikat dengan kaedah lama. Tetapi, pentadbiran awam dan birokrasi juga menuntut keupayaan kita segera menangkap keperluan melakukan perubahan secara yang agak lebih agresif. Itulah sebab saudara-saudara terkumpul di sini. Jangan tanya saya, saya tidak ada jawapan (nada berseloroh). Jawapannya kepada KSN, KPPA dan rakan-rakan sekalian.

5. So Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, it is of course a privilege to be among those whose daily work sustains the missionary of our nation. Public service is seldom glamorous, yet it is the unassuming architecture of civilization. As you say, leaders, political leaders come and go, but the institution remains strong embedded, so that the system and governance must continue and so, the challenge or the question before us is how to make that architecture future ready, strong enough to withstand shocks and flexible enough to serve citizens whose expectations are not only constantly changing, but demanding.

6. In my introduction I alluded to the fact that the name bureaucracy by nature means is an established institution with norms and procedures, rules to be followed. At the same time, we have new challenges in these post normal times, where changes are not only abrupt, unprecedented at an unprecedented pace, and must be accelerated to achieve results. And the more so this decade, we have shifting currents, trade frictions, technological upheavals, climate emergency and the growing demand by our society for openness.

7. Everyone has the right to expose, to demand explanation, and we become forcibly more accountable but I would say that Alhamdulillah ASEAN still remains one of the world’s most stable region. But as you know, stability alone will not prepare us for the storms ahead. We have now a region of 660 million people and very productive. I mean productive in the sense that we will have more people soon. So we must act as a network of capable, trusted institutions.

8. The next phase of ASEAN cooperation will depend on how we modernize the state itself and the heart of governance lies morality. Without moral purpose, public servant loses direction, our duty is to empower citizens and ensure that progress reaches every layer of society. A public service that fails to hear the weak or the marginalize forfeits legitimacy. Justice must be guided and must guide our decisions. Progress stripped of compassion becomes dangerous. Development without justice becomes hollow. Sustainability begins with stewardship of the environment, of public finances and of the institutions that hold us together.

9. What we build today should widen the choices of those who come after us. So, in Malaysia, in reference to the MADANI framework, we have tried partly to turn these principles into systems. Digital identity is improving and improving secure access to services. But even then, there was a very pertinent challenge a month ago about the issue of productivity paradox. And I’m pleased that the Chief Secretary has undertaken this as a major challenge to get all the inputs necessary, because we have to respond to this central issue in terms of productivity, in terms of reducing inequality, ensuring that the marginalized and the poor, urban poor and marginalized, are given due regard and consideration.

10. And then, of course, the Energy Transition Roadmap is creating new skills and jobs while keeping our fiscal footing sound. The next step is of course, to connect these reforms to make government work as one and not many. And this is, of course, a major challenge. The whole setup of the civil service or public service structure is, of course, compartmentalization. And it is necessary to specialize, to focus. But the new norms, digitalization, energy, dictates a new phenomenon — the need to integrate effectively. And that’s why I think the understanding of the senior officers is critical, to be able to work not in silos but as an integrated force.

11. But more important, to my mind, is the issue of leadership, both political and the public service. Because leadership today demands moral clarity and the courage to reform. A future-ready civil service needs leaders who think beyond electoral cycles, act transparently, and welcome scrutiny. All these are popular and interesting pious platitudes, but you have to sit in Parliament for a debate. I tell you, it’s quite challenging.

12. So, this morning, I must apologize. I’m a bit late this afternoon because there are two programmes imposed upon me which were not in the initial plan. Firstly, in the morning, summoned by the Malay Sultans to give them an update on ASEAN and incoming President Donald Trump’s visit and the issue of Flotilla and then some other related national issues, just to brief them. And then, I had to rush to the airport to send off my colleague, the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

13. So, I do apologize. But it happens to coincide with the Prime Minister’s Question Time at 10 o’clock in Parliament. So, I wasn’t sure whether I was quite relieved (in joking tone), although I cannot escape because the same question will be raised the following week. But I think it helps in terms of transparency, accountability and allowing members of Parliament, particularly the opposition, to raise issues of concern.

14. Now, back to issue of technology. Technology again, as I mentioned about productivity paradox because technology is reshaping governance from data analytics to artificial intelligence because it’s purpose is to make life simpler and service more humane. But, if you read the issue of productivity paradox, it does not necessarily result that way. Sometimes becomes more complex. You don’t educate the masses and you insist that they follow certain digital rules. So, it still remains a challenge.

15. Therefore, the next frontier is interoperability. Citizens should share their details once and government should use them responsibly across agencies. Each interaction must leave an audit trail that earns, not demands public trust. Digital government should lighten the citizens’ day, never add to the burden.

16. The finest systems mean little without capable ethical people. Public service must become a learning institution, reskilling continuously and holding itself to clear standards of integrity. Independent capability reviews show how a civil service can renew itself through honest self-assessment rather than crisis. An aging workforce should be valued for its experience, mentoring new talent while adapting to new tools and ways of working. I’ve challenged, for example, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs because the traditional notion of how we look at diplomacy has shifted to a focus on trade and investments. So these shifts would require the civil service to also retrain and expose new talents, new officers to new dictates and new demands.

17. So, I must commend again, for example, the Foreign Ministry for grasping this and taking immediate action to ensure that our young diplomats refocus. Not necessarily refocus, but then extend the focus beyond just diplomacy to the issues affecting trade, investment or the economy.

18. Excellency, ladies and gentlemen, across ASEAN, our administration are reforming with the same purpose. Our shared task is deepen trust, interoperability and capability so that citizens everywhere in our region experience government that is connected, secure and humane. None of us can face climate shocks, cyber risks or health crisis alone. Our resilience will depend on how well our systems learn from each other.

19. Trust, interoperability and capability form new horizons of public service. They require discipline, clear standards, open yet protected data and cooperation that crosses borders and bureaucracies alike. So let us leave this conference with renewed commitment to reform, boldly cooperate deeply and serve with integrity. If we do so, Insya-Allah, history will remember us as architects of a just, inclusive and sustainable ASEAN.

Terima kasih. Wassalamualaikum.