New IIUM Institute to hone Malaysia's leadership skills, enhance Asean unity, says PM

Tuty Haryanti Ahmad Rodzi

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Type :	Newspaper Clipping
Subject :	Institusi Pengajian Tinggi
Main Author :	Tuty Haryanti Ahmad Rodzi
Title :	New IIUM Institute to hone Malaysia's leadership skills, enhance Asean unity, says PM

Place of Production :	Pekan
Faculty :	New Straits Times
Year of Publication :	September 2, 2025
HTTP Link :	Click to view web link
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KUALA LUMPUR: The launch of the Institute of Internationalisation and Asean Studies (Intas) at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) is in line with the nation's responsibility as Asean chair this year, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said this responsibility must be shouldered with vision, leadership and credibility, especially as the region faces uncertain times. He said Asean, long respected as a zone of peace and cooperation, was now confronting serious challenges, including tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, which have displaced more than 300,000 people. Although a ceasefire has been achieved, he said the region must remain vigilant and efforts to restore stability must continue. "Malaysia has therefore taken early steps by hosting a meeting between Thai and Cambodian leaders in Kuala Lumpur. This action reflects our nation's commitment to dialogue, peace and the Asean spirit of cooperation. "Malaysia must continue to play a role as a platform for discussion. Domestic stability and international credibility place us in a position to host such dialogues. However, we cannot rely solely on diplomacy. We need institutions that think, write and act. This is where Intas comes in," he said. He said this in a speech text read by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir at the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation (ISTAC), IIUM Kuala Lumpur campus, today. Earlier, besides launching Intas, Zambry also launched the book Education of the Interior: Essays in Honour of Professor Syed Ali Ashraf. Expanding on Intas, Anwar said the institute was expected to strengthen Malaysia's regional role by producing credible research, policy ideas and strategic insights. He added that the institute will also collaborate with various centres, including the International Institute of Futures Studies, the Centre for Peace, Dialogue and Xenophobia Studies, the Centre for Islam-Confucianism Dialogue, as well as partners such as the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS Malaysia). "Additionally, Intas is urged to strengthen ties with Asean's Strategic Dialogue Partners, including the United States, China, India, the European Union, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Russia. "These relations are crucial in determining how Asean responds to global challenges," he said. Also held at the launch was a seminar entitled Asean Futures: Navigating Regionalism, Reconciliation and Rapprochement. About the seminar, Anwar expressed hope that it would serve as a platform for reflection and in-depth discussion on how the region should face instability, rebuild regional trust and chart its future direction. "Moreover, this seminar is also hoped to further strengthen Asean's position as a regional community built on shared values and sustained cooperation," he said.

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