His Excellency Dr. Kao Kim Hourn,
Secretary-General of ASEAN,
The Honourable Tan Sri Dato‘ Sri (Ir.) Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa,
Chairman of Maybank Group and Maybank Foundation,
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Assalamualaikum and Good Morning,
Thank you for gracing us with your presence on this special occassion. My special thanks go to Maybank Foundation and my colleagues at the Permanent Mission for their tireless efforts in making this event and luncheon possible.
The Permanent Mission of Malaysia to ASEAN is truly delighted and honoured to play a part in this ASEAN–Maybank Scholarship 2025 Awards Ceremony. I commend Maybank, especially Maybank Foundation, for its exceptional work and the impact that it has made and continues to make in uplifting the lives of peoples across ASEAN.
As we gather here for this Awards Ceremony, I am pleased to express our deep appreciation for this scholarship programme by Maybank as we see its alignment with the ASEAN Chairmanship 2025 theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability.” This theme reflects our commitment to shared progress, ensuring that no one is left behind while seeking to narrow the development gap, raise the quality of life and ensure the long-term sustainability and wellbeing of our peoples in all aspects of life.
Maybank Foundation’s initiatives, particularly the eMpowering Youths Across ASEAN involving youth volunteerism projects that have reached over 89,000 beneficiaries across ASEAN, and this ASEAN-Maybank scholarship programme are certainly in line with ASEAN’s priorities, exemplifying how corporate partners can contribute to ASEAN’s community-building efforts. By equipping young people from diverse backgrounds with skills, opportunities, and platforms to empower them to become future agents of change, we not only promote social inclusion but also drive long-term, people‑centred development across our region. Such efforts resonate strongly with our collective vision of an ASEAN that leaves no one behind. Such initiatives by Maybank are very much relevant as ASEAN continues to focus on building a future of shared prosperity and resilience, aiming towards a more integrated, competitive and people-oriented community.
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Education has long been a transformative force in ASEAN’s socio-economic development. Our higher education institutes are no longer just centres of knowledge transmission. They are hubs of innovation, platforms for regional mobility and spaces of integration where cultures and ideas converge.
The ASEAN Economic Community’s vision of a single market and production base requires us to move in sync - to harmonise our qualifications, recognise each other’s academic credentials, and enhance mobility for students, staff, and researchers across the region.
Sadly, not all of our students enjoy equal access to digital tools, funding or international exposure. Thus, under the Malaysian Chairmanship, we will continue to champion access to education and life‑long learning through initiatives such as the ASEAN Education Work Plan 2021‑2025 and the Roadmap on the ASEAN Higher Education Space 2025.
The higher education sector is also an important contributor to the objectives of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025, and the ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint 2025 – two very important documents that play a pivotal role in advancing regional integration, fostering human capital development, and strengthening ASEAN’s competitiveness globally, ultimately delivering tangible benefits to the ASEAN community. Hence, we truly welcome initiatives such as this scholarship programme, which offers a step towards building a truly integrated ASEAN, providing equal access to education - regardless of background or economic status.
To all the scholarship recipients: Congratulations, your hard work and potential have brought you to this moment, and we couldn’t be prouder. We encourage you to make the most of this opportunity — learn as much as you can, make friends across cultures, and share ideas that will strengthen our ASEAN family.
Indeed, education is a powerful tool that can change the world. When you return home, you will bring with you the knowledge and experience that can help your communities grow and thrive. You will have that transformative power of education to be agents of positive change and pursue your aspirations for a better future. With your fresh perspectives, we can unlock ASEAN’s full potential and build a future that is brighter, more inclusive, and sustainable for everyone.
Taking advantange of my position of privilege, I humbly encourage Maybank Foundation to persevere in its noble efforts to uplift communities through sustainable programmes that will improve the lives of many in our region. Over the past two years, I have come to observe the passion, perseverance, dedication and convergence of purpose among the men and women driving the work of Maybank Foundation. Maybank can be very proud of them and what they have achieved.
Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Last but certainly not least, I take this opportunity to pay tribute to His Excellency Secretary General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, and the members of ASEAN Secretariat, for their continued support, unwavering dedication and hard work in realising ASEAN’s community-building efforts and ensuring the success of our collective initiatives. Indeed, as we celebrate ASEAN's 58th Anniverssry, we recognise the pivotal role that the ASEAN Secretariat and its leadership play in working hand in hand with ASEAN Member States to advance ASEAN's goals. ASEAN has evolved and progressed much in the last 58 years. We have learnt from our successes and failures, risen above challenges and continue to strive to manage new ones. We have built bridges of enduring friendships and goodwill in fostering relations with our external partners over the years. Hence, today we celebrate the wisdom and tenacity of the founding leaders of ASEAN and the contribution of every individual who has been involved with ASEAN and ASEAN work from among ASEAN Member States, ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN entities and ASEAN external partners.
Lastly, Happy ASEAN DAY to everyone and may we keep the ASEAN spirit alive, not just today, but every day.
Terima kasih. Thank you.
