Southeast Asian foreign ministers gathered Sunday for their first meeting this year under the regional bloc's new chair, Malaysia, seeking a breakthrough over Myanmar’s drawn-out civil war and territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

LANGKAWI, Jan 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan on Sunday reaffirmed that ASEAN will continue to drive its own path forward amid intensifying superpower competition in the region. With a highly geo-strategic position, cultural versatility, and economic weight, he said Southeast Asia holds massive potential.

The foreign minister highlights the importance of inclusivity and sustainability, hinting at Timor-Leste’s accession to the regional bloc.

The first ASEAN ministerial level meeting held under the chairmanship of Malaysia concluded on Sunday (Jan 19), with the Southeast Asian grouping pledging to deepen collaboration and strengthen unity amid a shift in global order.

Southeast Asian nations told Myanmar's military government on Sunday (Jan 19) its plan to hold an election amid an escalating civil war should not be its priority, urging the junta to start dialogue and end hostilities immediately.

Malaysia has appointed a new ASEAN special envoy to Myanmar to try and implement the regional bloc’s stalled peace plan for the war-torn country.

The regional bloc told a junta representative at a meeting that a poll is “not a priority at the moment," Malaysia’s foreign minister said.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan today opened the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ (AMM) Retreat here, hi

Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan today opened the Asean Foreign Ministers’ (AMM) Retreat here, highlighting the need for ASEAN

Working toward restoring peace and stability in Myanmar remains a top priority for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Malaysian

Thailand and Malaysia emphasised the importance of collaboration in addressing pressing regional and global issues, including human trafficking and Asean solidarity.

While committed to regional issues, Malaysia is tempering expectations for immediate solutions, acknowledging the complexity of both crises.