As Malaysia assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, the region stands at a critical juncture where strategic leadership, cooperation, and innovation are essential to shaping a resilient and sustainable future. This white paper highlights five key pillars—Digital Economy, Workforce Development, Healthcare, Sustainability, and Energy Transition—that are fundamental to ASEAN’s progress. By addressing these areas with decisive action and policy coherence, Malaysia has the opportunity to lead ASEAN towards deeper regional integration and long-term economic prosperity.

Malaysia’s vision for the future is closely tied to the growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, as outlined in the National Artificial Intelligence Roadmap 2021-2025 (AI-RMAP). As AI increasingly permeates industries, it is set to reshape the labor market, impacting career trajectories and the skills required in the future economy. Youths are crucial to Malaysia's mission of building a strong AI ecosystem, yet their involvement in policy development remains limited.

Secure, trusted, and inclusive application of technology is more critical than ever in a nation’s economic recovery. 

As digital technology and data have become indispensable tools for governments to combat the virus, digital support has become critical for the world’s first responders. The second edition of 'Covid-19 Exit Strategy to The New (now) Norm) will explain more on digital infrastructure which also covers a digital native policy paradigm; anchored on technology, powered by trust. 

Severe asthma imposes a signiûcant health and economic burden globally, with frequent exacerbations leading to increased hospitalisations, emergency treatments, and dependency on high-dose corticosteroids. Many patients remain inadequately controlled despite intensive therapy with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and systemic/oral corticosteroids (OCS).

It has been projected that raising the employment level of women in Malaysia by 30 per cent could raise GDP between 7 per cent to 12 per cent3. However, there are challenges in optimising women's participation in the labour market.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about a profound public health crisis in Malaysia. Malaysians from all walks of life struggle with the immediat, prolonged and endemic impact of the pandemic but as the adage goes, though we face the same storm, we may not be in the same boat. 

Social media has become an integral part of daily life for Malaysian teenagers, providing spaces for social interaction, creativity, and learning. However, digital immersion brings its own range of risks, exposing young users to online harms such as cyberbullying, harassment, and exploitation. This white paper seeks to inform policymakers, industry stakeholders, parents, and teachers of insights into online safety, offering actionable recommendations for creating stronger protections and fostering a safer online environment. By prioritizing these safeguards, young Malaysians will be better equipped to navigate social media responsibly and thrive in a digital world.

The substantial increase in connectivity and data generation, the explosion of the number of connected devices, and the rapid take-up of technologies such as cloud computing, advanced robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI) are fundamentally changing the way organizations do business and how governments provide public services and engage with citizens.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an extraordinary health and economic crisis for countries around the world. We are now faced with the challenge of closing the opportunity divide. The first edition of 'Covid-19 Exit Strategy to The New (now) Norm) will elaborate on how do we ensure that citizens across Malaysia and beyond are able to transform digital divides into digital dividends.