Malaysia takes the helm of Asean at a time of see-sawing threats and opportunities, with Donald Trump’s tariff-wielding return to the world stage, peaking tensions in the South China Sea and the deepening bloodshed in Myanmar all set to test the diplomatic skill of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
For Anwar, 77, this is a crowning moment in a career that has weathered persecution, imprisonment and decades in opposition. Since taking office in late 2022, he has worked to restore Malaysia’s global reputation after years of domestic political turmoil and introspective government.
His international outreach has seen him rattle through visits to China, the US, India, Russia and Turkey –…