The theme chosen by Kuala Lumpur, “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, focused on keeping Asean united, competitive and resilient amid global rivalry and economic uncertainty.

Speaking at the Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in July, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called for member states to “trade more among themselves and advance integration”.

He said a united bloc was necessary, as protectionist measures were increasingly being “weaponised against weaker countries”.

Beyond the summits and policy statements, the real challenge was in turning Malaysia’s chairmanship goals into practical outcomes.

One place where these objectives were achieved has been Johor, with Iskandar Investment Berhad (IIB) overseeing several cross-border development initiatives aligned with Asean’s broader agenda.

Asean centrality on the ground

Malaysia has insisted that Asean cannot become a battleground for major-power competition, and has called for member states to foster cooperation and mutual trust.

In his opening remarks at the Asean Day celebration in August, foreign minister Mohamad Hasan urged Asean to “set a new standard for global governance” built on inclusivity and diversity.

In Johor, cross-border projects were shown to be examples of such cooperation.

“I would like to take Medini Johor as an example of how cross-border development can be done successfully. This is a model that could be followed by other countries in Asean,” said IIB president and CEO Idzham Hashim.

“Singapore started the Sijori initiative with Johor and Riau in Indonesia. We can see its success being translated into cross-border economic programmes and initiatives.”

The Sijori Growth Triangle — a sub-regional cooperation framework between Singapore, Johor and Indonesia’s Riau Islands — was launched in 1989 to promote trade, investment and industrial complementarity among the three territories.

One of Malaysia’s key chairmanship priorities has been deeper regional integration, a goal mirrored by efforts in Johor, he said.

“Medini has always focused on capitalising on cross-border advantages between Singapore and Johor. But last year was significant when we launched the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ),” Idzham said.

“The collaboration between the two countries is important because both economies have limitations. By combining strengths and simplifying the movement of people, goods and capital, we are now seeing the fruits of that effort.”

He said the effects were also being felt by commuters. Border workers who once spent up to four hours on the road could now make the trip in just over an hour due to streamlined systems.

“It’s not just about encouraging people to work there. It also helps give them a better quality of life,” he said.

Future-proofing Asean

Another focus of Malaysia’s chairmanship was adaptability, ensuring that growth remained flexible and resilient amid global changes.

“I think regular engagement is very much needed. When we talk about collaboration, we need more dialogue between the federal government, state government, and the private sector,” Idzham said.

“Growth is nonlinear, so we have to see what is needed, adapt, and be more versatile.”

He said IIB had been involved in discussions on investment and regional development, positioning Johor as a case study in long-term planning and public–private collaboration.

Malaysia’s Asean agenda also placed emphasis on sustainability. At the regional level, the bloc advanced the Asean Power Grid and developed frameworks for carbon trading and carbon storage.

Locally, Malaysia and Singapore signed memoranda of understanding on carbon credits and carbon capture alongside the SEZ agreement, he said.

“The inclusion of initiatives like the JS-SEZ Committee and the Johor Talent Development Council shows our commitment to empowering communities and building a skilled workforce,” Idzham said.

“These regional ambitions were reinforced by Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship, which provided a platform to advance collaboration and economic resilience.”

The development council, established to align Johor’s workforce with new industry demands, brings together government agencies, educational institutions and private employers to coordinate training and upskilling programmes.

From Johor to Asean

More than 300 Asean meetings are taking place in Malaysia this year, including the Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur from Oct 26-28.

Idzham said while the chairmanship gave Malaysia an opportunity to shape regional discussions on trade, sustainability and security, developments in Johor illustrated how those goals were being pursued at the state level.

“(Asean has) a very strong 650 million population. The majority of them are young. In terms of GDP growth, the region has recorded one of the highest in the world,” he said.

“The value proposition is already there. But the importance of dialogue is key right now to showcase our strengths, and the benefits that Asean has to offer to investors.”

According to Idzham, Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship has sought to turn the principles of inclusivity and sustainability into measurable progress across the region. Developments in Johor provided one example of how those priorities were implemented at the local level, he said.

“The opportunity and the value proposition is very strong. I would like to welcome anyone interested to invest in Johor and see it as a place for them to grow.

“It’s not just about bringing in investments, it’s about us hosting them as a growth partner,” he added.