Malaysian PM Bans Ministers From Going Abroad For A Temporary Time

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim/PHOTO via Instagram @anwaribrahim_my

JAKARTA - Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has temporarily banned his government ministers from visiting abroad, so that they can focus on organizing future programs, one of which is holding the 47th ASEAN Summit.

This was conveyed by Anwar Ibrahim when delivering an introductory statement at his cabinet meeting of his government, in Putra Jaya, Malaysia, Wednesday, September 10, as conveyed by the Malaysian Minister of Communications as the spokesman for the Malaysian government, Fahmi Fadzil.

"Today's cabinet meeting begins with a directive from the Prime Minister, so that all ministerial trips abroad are temporarily suspended," said Fahmi Fadzil as quoted by ANTARA.

He conveyed that the ban could be excluded for important scheduled meetings or discussions of an agenda that had received special considerations.

"This is to ensure that the ministers focus and prioritize the implementation of several programs," he explained.

He conveyed that the ministers were asked to focus on delivering the 2026 Expenditures (state expenditure plan), which would be presented by the Prime Minister in front of the Malaysian parliament, on October 10, 2025, as well as preparations for the implementation of the 47th ASEAN Summit.

"Also preparations for the ASEAN Summit which will take place at the end of October. This decision has been made and takes effect immediately," he said.

The 47th ASEAN Summit will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 26'28 October 2025.

At the summit, one of the important events that will become a new historical record is the joining of Timor-Leste as a permanent member of ASEAN.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said US President Donald Trump had expressed his willingness to attend the ASEAN summit. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin is rumored to be able to attend.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional organization in Southeast Asia which currently consists of 10 countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia.

This organization was formed to accelerate economic growth, social progress, and cultural development, as well as promote peace and stability in Southeast Asia.

ASEAN was formed on August 8, 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines through the Declaration of Bangkok.

Timor Leste first expressed its intention to join ASEAN in 2005 and officially submit a membership application on March 4, 2011.