OXFORD, UNITED KINGDON June 12, 2026 — Senior Political Advisor to Malaysian Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Utama Tengku Zafrul Aziz, participated in a high-level panel discussion at the University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government on June 10, 2026, highlighting ASEAN’s model of regional cooperation amid global fragmentation.
The event, titled “Leadership in a Fractured World: Lessons from ASEAN for Global Governance,” was organised by the Tun Razak Foundation in partnership with the Blavatnik School to commemorate the foundation’s 50th anniversary. It reflected on the legacy of Malaysia’s second Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein — a co-founder of ASEAN — and explored how Southeast Asian approaches to leadership can inform global governance in an era of geopolitical tension, fragile supply chains, and great-power competition.
In his remarks, Tengku Zafrul emphasised ASEAN’s ability to manage diversity among its member states — differing in size, political systems, development levels, and economic interests — while maintaining regional stability for nearly six decades.
“Negara-negara ASEAN tidak sama dari segi saiz, sistem politik, tahap pembangunan atau kepentingan ekonomi. Tetapi selama hampir enam dekad, rantau ini masih mampu mengekalkan kestabilan, membuka ruang kerjasama dan mengelakkan perpecahan yang boleh merugikan semua. Itu bukan kelemahan. Itu kekuatan,” he posted on X.
He advocated for Malaysia’s foreign policy of “broad friendships without alignment,” urging the country to engage openly in trade and investment while grounding decisions firmly in national interests. In today’s uncertain world, he noted, stability, reliability, and diplomatic wisdom serve as strategic advantages.
The panel was moderated by Professor Ngaire Woods, Dean of the Blavatnik School of Government. Other panelists included Tan Sri Nazir Razak, Chairman of the Tun Razak Foundation; Sri Mulyani Indrawati, former Finance Minister of Indonesia; and Professor Julien Labonne of the Blavatnik School.
Following the discussion, Tengku Zafrul engaged with participants and described the session as highly meaningful. The event was livestreamed on YouTube via the Blavatnik School channel.
The gathering underscores growing interest in ASEAN’s pragmatic diplomacy as a potential model for navigating multipolar challenges, drawing on the region’s experience in balancing relations with major powers while prioritising development and stability.
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