Malaysia handed over the chairmanship of Southeast Asia’s regional bloc to the Philippines on Tuesday (Oct 28), with territorial disputes in the South China Sea set to dominate its agenda when Manila takes charge in 2026.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who will remain chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) until the end of the year, symbolically passed the gavel to Filipino President Ferdinand Marcos at the close of a summit in Kuala Lumpur.

“On the first day of 2026, ASEAN will begin a new chapter,” Anwar said.

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