Senator Jaziri Alkaf Abdillah Suffian is a prominent Malaysian politician and architect, having served as a member of the Dewan Negara (Senate) of Malaysia. Appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on December 21, 2020, he represents the Perikatan Nasional coalition in the upper house of Parliament. Senator Jaziri has played a key role in Sarawak’s political landscape, having been appointed as the Chairman of the State Leadership Body for Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (BERSATU) Sarawak in 2019 and later assuming the role of Chairman for Perikatan Nasional Sarawak in 2021. Before his leadership positions, he served as the Interim Secretary for BERSATU Sarawak, overseeing the party’s establishment in the state.

In this fireside chat, Senator Jaziri will share his insights on ASEAN’s role in navigating the intensifying US-China competition. As economic and security tensions between the two great powers shape the geopolitical landscape, ASEAN faces both challenges and opportunities in maintaining regional stability, economic resilience, and strategic autonomy. Drawing from his experience in Malaysian politics and governance, Senator Jaziri will discuss ASEAN’s strategies for engagement, the importance of regional unity, and the implications of great-power rivalry for Southeast Asia’s future.