Tan Sri Azman Hashim
President
MASSA 

As businesses navigate the complex and volatile geoeconomic environment in the second half of 2025, indicators have suggested continued, albeit softer global expansion underpinned by resilient consumer spending, some advance purchasing, positive labour markets, and fiscal stimulus.

However, this outlook faces significant risks from sustained tariff & policy uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, illustrated by the Trump administration’s rollout of the Liberation Day tariffs, which have dealt a blow to global markets, restricted exports, and stymied investments. The announced tariffs have affected numerous countries, including Japan, South Korea and ASEAN member countries. Malaysia is seeing a 25% tariff (a further one percent increase from the April announcement) levied by the administration.

Amidst these conditions, Asia and ASEAN are called to cooperate, coordinate and collaborate trade to strengthen internal & regional foundations to weather global uncertainty and complexity. Inter-regional trade, investment and integration across all sectors, that include green economy, human capital, digital technologies, are crucial and should be encouraged to stand against unilateralism and protectionism, to achieve resilient growth and to drive value creation.

Further to this, the international, regional and bilateral FTAs such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), whose signatories have been hit by the tariffs, should be leveraged as platforms for deepening and strengthening cooperation and trade liberalisation.

I am pleased to note that Timor-Leste’s application for accession into ASEAN has made great strides under Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN, following the decision at the 46^th ASEAN Summit to admit Timor-Leste as the 11^th member of ASEAN at the 47^th ASEAN Summit in October this year.

MASSA’s 34^th Annual General Meeting of the Association was held on 25 June 2025. The Executive Committee for the new term 2025/2027 is pleased to onboard Datuk Merlyn Kasimir as Vice-President, Mr Chang Yii Tan as Hon. Assistant Secretary, and Datuk Nurbayu Kasim Chang, Mr Sivavenayakam Velayutham & Dr Jeremiah Chan Kin Meng as Executive Committee Members. I congratulate them on their appointment and would like to thank the Office Bearers and Executive Committee Members who will continue to serve the Association for the new term.

I appreciate the continuing support of all Members with your involvement at our regular meetings, events and webinars. I also wish to thank article and feature contributors from across the MASSA network, who have provided valuable and insightful articles for our readers and not forgetting the sponsors of our website.

On behalf of the Executive Committee of MASSA, allow me to place on record our warmest congratulations to MASSA’s Founder Patron, YABhg Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on his 100^th Birthday. YABhg Tun’s foresight in establishing the Malaysia-South America Association (MASA), then Malaysia Latin America Association (MALAM), and culminating in the Malaysia South-South Association (MASSA) to champion South-South Cooperation under the guiding principle of “Prosper Thy Neighbour” has been transformative.

YABhg Tun’s encouragement in pioneering collaboration among Malaysian businesses to mutually explore, expand, and cooperate with emerging economies had catalyzed many opportunities for shared growth and mutual advancement. Since its inception in 1992, our Association remains committed to pursuing this mission, to bridge South-South cooperation through business partnerships.

Through YABhg Tun’s support, MASSA’s sister organization, the Malaysian South-South Cooperation Berhad (MASSCORP Berhad) was founded comprising shareholders who were MASSA’s founding members. This vehicle undertook viable and bankable investment projects jointly in these countries. These investment activities include: Latin America (Edificio Malasia, Las Flores Residence, CIDEC Leather Tannery, San Bernado), ASEAN (Binh An Water Treatment Plant, Danang Industrial Park, Fortune Park Residences, MiCasa Hotel Project), as well as facilitating and supporting fact-finding and business missions into Africa, Indochina, West Asia and the Pacific Islands amongst others.

MASSCORP with an initial capital of RM53 million, now has shareholders’ funds of RM72 million and have paid dividends of RM40 million to date to its shareholders.

On this joyous occasion, the members of MASSA and MASSCORP Berhad join me in wishing YABhg Tun continued good health, happiness and the warmth of loved ones. May YABhg Tun’s centennial year be filled with the same grace, wisdom, and dignity that has defined his unparalleled journey.

Thank you.

Tan Sri Azman Hashim
President
1 August 2025