Asean should deepen ties with GCC, says Liew
Speaking at the "Asean-GCC Interactions in a Changing Global Order" forum, Liew stated that Asean nations can no longer afford to view one another as economic competitors but must instead cooperate to foster regional prosperity, technological advancement and geopolitical stability.
"We have a choice: either to be bystanders or to be participants in shaping this new world order. Asean does not want to be a bystander," he said.
The deputy minister warned that the long-dominant global narrative of US-China rivalry leaves little room for middle powers.
In both Washington and Beijing, he said, trade, technology and security are increasingly framed through a binary geopolitical lens.
"If the world is just drawn between the US and China, we are all gone. We have no space," he said. "To remain relevant, we must build and assert what the middle ground should be."
Liew said that the GCC bloc also shares Asean's interest in shaping this middle ground, especially as both regions confront similar challenges and aspirations, including moving beyond their traditional economic roles.
"For the last 80 years, Asian countries became rich by exporting to the US. But now, the US is signalling that it wants fewer imports. What do we do next?" He asked.
He proposed a paradigm shift away from competition and towards co-development, where Asean countries support each other's economic growth to create new markets within the region and with partners such as the GCC.
"Malaysia sees Vietnam as a competitor, and vice versa. But it doesn't have to be this way. We want to see Vietnam, Thailand, and the GCC countries become more prosperous so that we all can benefit from a growing middle-class market," he said.
Liew also highlighted the evolving ambitions of GCC states such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. Once dependent on oil exports, these countries are now seeking to become leaders in technology, including artificial intelligence and semiconductors.
"Malaysia already has a semiconductor industry, not high-end, but sophisticated enough. Today, Saudi Arabia wants to build one. The UAE is investing heavily in AI. This is an era where we can collaborate to become technological nations, not just trading nations," he said.
Moreover, he advocated for an "à la carte" model of cooperation, one that does not rely on rigid alliances but allows flexible, issue-based collaboration between countries that share common goals.
"Together, Asean and GCC can collaborate on markets, on technology, and on geopolitics, especially to co-create this middle ground that allows all of us to navigate the complexities of a changing global order," he said.
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