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Kicked off day two in Japan by delivering a keynote address at the Nikkei Future of Asia International Conference in Tokyo titled Navigating Strategic Uncertainty, which touched on the big challenges that are reshaping the world's geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape. As conflict drags on, great power competition intensifies, global supply chains become more fragile and economic uncertainty widens, the world cannot remain trapped in the old framework that sees international relations solely through the lens of competition for power and narrow interests. Asia is developing as a result of openness, trade, investment and cooperation. True, the existing international order and institutions have helped lift millions of people out of poverty. But our challenge today is not to abandon it, but to reform and strengthen it to remain relevant to the demands of the changing times. Malaysia believes that middle power countries have an important responsibility in this effort. Although we do not have the same influence as the great powers, we are able to play a role as a bridge of understanding, build agreement and encourage cooperation when the world is increasingly inclined to division. I also touched on the issue of artificial intelligence that promises many great benefits to humans. However, technological progress cannot be allowed to only enrich a few parties or widen the gap. Developing countries must have a meaningful voice in determining the governance of technology that will affect the lives of billions of people. In an increasingly divided world, ASEAN remains relevant as a forum that prioritizes inclusion, dialogue and cooperation. The same spirit is also the basis of the close relationship between Malaysia and Japan in strengthening cooperation in the field of semiconductors, energy transition, digital economy and artificial intelligence, in order to build a more resilient supply chain and shared prosperity. The sailors of the past were not able to control the wind or predict every storm to come. But they have a clear direction of purpose. Today's world does not lack power, but lacks the understanding that cooperation is always better than division, that institutions need to be reformed rather than abandoned, and that leadership demands the courage to shape the future, not just react to the situation. ===== The sailors of old could not predict every storm, nor could they control the currents. What they possessed was a clear sense of direction. That lesson remains as relevant today as the world grapples with conflict, strategic rivalry, economic fragmentation, and rapid technological change. Speaking at the Nikkei Future of Asia Conference in Tokyo this morning, I argued that nations must not allow themselves to be driven solely by the logic of power politics or the excesses of realpolitik. The challenge before us is not merely to navigate uncertainty, but to shape a more stable, just, and cooperative international order. Asia's prosperity was built on openness, trade, investment, and cooperation. Yet the institutions and frameworks that have supported decades of growth are increasingly under strain. Our task is neither to abandon them nor preserve them unchanged, but to reform and renew them so that they remain relevant to the realities of our time. As a middle power, Malaysia believes we have a responsibility to help build bridges where others see divides, and foster consensus where others see discord. In a world that is becoming increasingly fragmented, dialogue, cooperation, and mutual respect remain indispensable. I also spoke about the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence. Technological progress must remain people-centered and inclusive. Developing nations must have a meaningful voice in shaping the governance frameworks that will influence the lives of billions, ensuring that innovation empowers rather than marginalises.
Notes
Memulakan hari kedua di Jepun dengan menyampaikan ucaptama di Persidangan Antarabangsa Nikkei Future of Asia di Tokyo bertajuk Navigating Strategic Uncertainty, yang menyentuh cabaran besar yang sedang membentuk semula landskap geopolitik dan geoekonomi dunia. Tatkala konflik berlarutan, persaingan kuasa besar semakin meruncing, rantaian bekalan global semakin rapuh dan ketidaktentuan ekonomi semakin melebar, dunia tidak boleh terus terperangkap dalam kerangka lama yang melihat hubungan antarabangsa semata-mata melalui lensa persaingan kuasa dan kepentingan sempit. Asia membangun hasil daripada keterbukaan, perdagangan, pelaburan dan kerjasama. Benar, tatanan dan institusi antarabangsa sedia ada telah membantu mengangkat jutaan manusia keluar daripada kemiskinan. Namun cabaran kita hari ini bukan meninggalkannya, tetapi mereformasi dan memperkukuhnya agar kekal relevan dengan tuntutan zaman yang kian berubah. Malaysia percaya negara-negara kuasa pertengahan mempunyai tanggungjawab penting dalam usaha ini. Walaupun tidak memiliki pengaruh yang sama seperti kuasa-kuasa besar, kita berupaya memainkan peranan sebagai jambatan persefahaman, membina kesepakatan dan menggalakkan kerjasama ketika dunia semakin cenderung kepada perpecahan. Saya turut menyentuh soal kecerdasan buatan yang menjanjikan pelbagai manfaat besar kepada manusia. Namun kemajuan teknologi tidak boleh dibiarkan hanya memperkayakan segelintir pihak atau melebarkan kesenjangan. Negara-negara membangun mesti mempunyai suara yang bermakna dalam menentukan tatakelola teknologi yang bakal mempengaruhi kehidupan berbilion manusia. Dalam dunia yang semakin berpecah, ASEAN kekal relevan sebagai wadah yang mengutamakan keterangkuman, dialog dan kerjasama. Semangat yang sama turut menjadi asas hubungan erat Malaysia dan Jepun dalam memperkukuh kerjasama dalam bidang semikonduktor, peralihan tenaga, ekonomi digital dan kecerdasan buatan, demi membina rantaian bekalan yang lebih berdaya tahan serta kemakmuran yang dapat dikongsi bersama. Para pelayar zaman silam tidak mampu mengawal angin atau meramal setiap badai yang mendatang. Namun mereka mempunyai arah tujuan yang jelas. Dunia hari ini tidak kekurangan kuasa, tetapi kekurangan kefahaman bahawa kerjasama sentiasa lebih baik daripada perpecahan, bahawa institusi perlu diperbaharui bukannya ditinggalkan, dan kepimpinan menuntut keberanian untuk membentuk masa depan, bukan sekadar bertindak balas terhadap keadaan. ===== The sailors of old could not predict every storm, nor could they control the currents. What they possessed was a clear sense of direction. That lesson remains as relevant today as the world grapples with conflict, strategic rivalry, economic fragmentation, and rapid technological change. Speaking at the Nikkei Future of Asia Conference in Tokyo this morning, I argued that nations must not allow themselves to be driven solely by the logic of power politics or the excesses of realpolitik. The challenge before us is not merely to navigate uncertainty, but to shape a more stable, just, and cooperative international order. Asia’s prosperity was built on openness, trade, investment, and cooperation. Yet the institutions and frameworks that have supported decades of growth are increasingly under strain. Our task is neither to abandon them nor preserve them unchanged, but to reform and renew them so that they remain relevant to the realities of our time. As a middle power, Malaysia believes we have a responsibility to help build bridges where others see divides, and foster consensus where others see discord. In a world that is becoming increasingly fragmented, dialogue, cooperation, and mutual respect remain indispensable. I also spoke about the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence. Technological progress must remain people-centred and inclusive. Developing nations must have a meaningful voice in shaping the governance frameworks that will influence the lives of billions, ensuring that innovation empowers rather than marginalises.