Malaysia Hands Over ASEAN Chairmanship to Philippines, Setting Stage for Maritime Security Talks

Malaysia has officially handed over the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to the Philippines, with maritime disputes and regional stability expected to dominate Manila’s agenda in 2026.

At the closing ceremony of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim symbolically passed the gavel to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., affirming confidence in the Philippines’ leadership. “On the first day of 2026, ASEAN will begin a new chapter,” Anwar said.

The Philippines, along with Malaysia, Brunei, and Vietnam, has overlapping claims in the South China Sea, where tensions with China continue to escalate. Despite a 2016 international tribunal ruling rejecting Beijing’s sweeping claims, maritime confrontations between China and the Philippines have intensified in recent months.

As incoming chair, President Marcos is expected to prioritize strengthening regional unity and finalizing the long-discussed Code of Conduct between ASEAN and China to manage activity in the contested waters. “There are positive outcomes to be gained if we commit to cooperation and meaningful engagement,” Marcos said at the summit.

Analysts note that while Manila may push for a stronger rules-based maritime order, any deal with China could face enforcement challenges. Areas of potential cooperation include maritime safety, ocean monitoring, and sustainable fishing access.

Beyond the South China Sea, the Philippines will also face the task of managing ASEAN’s approach to Myanmar, which remains mired in civil conflict since the 2021 military coup. The bloc has struggled to agree on whether to re-engage the junta or maintain its diplomatic isolation.

Experts say Manila must balance security priorities with ASEAN’s broader goals of economic cooperation and regional stability. “It is important for the Philippine government not to let the South China Sea issue eclipse the other priorities of ASEAN,” said Mustafa Izzuddin, an analyst at Solaris Strategies Singapore.

As the Philippines prepares to assume the chairmanship on January 1, 2026, its leadership will be crucial in guiding ASEAN through one of its most challenging periods - balancing diplomacy, sovereignty, and regional unity in an increasingly tense Indo-Pacific.