SPEECH BY YABHG. DATO’ SERI DR. WAN AZIZAH DR. WAN ISMAIL SPOUSE OF THE PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA ASEAN SPOUSE PROGRAMME IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE 47TH ASEAN SUMMIT AND RELATED[...]

SPEECH BY

YABHG. DATO' SERI DR. WAN AZIZAH DR. WAN ISMAIL

SPOUSE OF THE PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA

ASEAN SPOUSE PROGRAMME IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE 47TH ASEAN SUMMIT AND RELATED SUMMITS

SERI NEGARA, KUALA LUMPUR 27 OCTOBER 2025

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim Assalamualaikum w.b.t

Thank you Mr. Mustaffa Khair Johari from the Foreign Ministry.

SALUTATION

Excellencies,

1. Madam Dr. Pich Chanmony Hun Manet

[ pronounced as pech-chahn-moh-nee / hon-mah-nait ]

Spouse of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia

2. Madam Vandara Siphandone

[ pronounced as wan-dha-la / si-phan-donn]

Spouse of the Prime Minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic

3. Madam Louise Araneta-Marcos

[ pronounced as loo-wis / a-rah-ne-ta / mhar-kos]

Spouse of the President of the Republic of the Philippines

4. Mrs. Lawrence Wong (Madam Loo Tze Lui)

Spouse of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore

5. Madam Thananon Niramit

[ pronounced as thah-nah-non / nit-rah-mit]

Spouse of the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand

6. Madam Diana Fox Carney

[ pronounced dai-ah-nah / fox / car-nee]

Spouse of the Prime Minister of Canada

7. Madam Kim Hea Kyung

[ pronounced kim / hay / kyung]

Spouse of the President of the Republic of Korea

8. Madam Amanda Luxon

[ pronounced as aah-man-da / lak-sen]

Spouse of the Prime Minister of New Zealand,

Distinguished spouses of ASEAN Leaders, Dialogue Partners,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

INTRODUCTION

1. Alhamdulillah, it is my great pleasure to welcome all of you to Seri Negara, one of Malaysia's most treasured heritage buildings.

2. Over a century ago, this elegant place served as the residence of Sir Frank Swettenham, the first British Resident-General of Malaya. Within these walls, pivotal decisions were made that shaped our journey to independence. Our Federal Constitution was drafted and later signed right here.

3. Over the years, Seri Negara has warmly hosted Royalty, Presidents, and Prime Ministers from around the world. After significant renovation and refurbishment, today, we are delighted to welcome another esteemed gathering of our ASEAN family and friends. Your presence has brought back joyful laughter, making the atmosphere even more special.

4. The history of this building shows that heritage is not only about the past; it is also a bridge to our shared future. Just as Seri Negara has evolved from a colonial residence into a national landmark, ASEAN has grown from its founding aspirations into a dynamic, inclusive, and forward-looking community.

ACTIVITIES IN THE PROGRAMME

Excellencies, Madam First Ladies,

5. Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship theme, 'Inclusivity and Sustainability,' is truly reflected in today's programme. Through culture, creativity, and shared experiences, we celebrate how true connections are fostered not only in formal meetings but also through moments of joy and friendship.

6. Today, we are delighted to share with you a glimpse of Malaysia's treasured intangible cultural heritage listed under UNESCO through the exquisite miniature showcase and our Kebaya heritage.

Excellencies,

7. I also hope you enjoyed the ASEAN miniature display, a showcase of our region's diverse architectural heritage. These miniatures illustrate that despite our different designs, our fundamental unity is grounded in mutual respect and understanding.

8. We also tried our hand at building terrariums. A little soil, a little water, and a little patience. It is just like maintaining regional harmony! Each element must coexist in balance. That reflects the story of ASEAN, a community that thrives through stability, cooperation, and care for one another.

9. We are not alone. Our Dialogue Partners have also been instrumental in this journey. Together, we have built meaningful collaborations in education, culture, and sustainable development. These partnerships are founded on friendship and a shared commitment to a peaceful, inclusive, and sustainable future for all.

10. I believe, as spouses, we also hold a unique position. We are often the 'soft diplomats', the community builders, and the bridges of the heart. Our influence, whether direct or indirect, can nurture the long-term foundations of friendship that our partners build in their formal meetings.

CONCLUSION

Excellencies, Madam First Ladies,

11. Allow me to highlight the Baju Kebaya I am wearing today. The Kebaya is more than just an attire. It is a living expression of elegance, tradition and identity. I am proud that Malaysia, along with our ASEAN neighbours, has jointly nominated the Baju Kebaya for inscription as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. This reflects our belief that tradition is not old. It is timeless.

12. As we gather in this historic place, let us remember that our region's strength lies not only in its history. It lies in our ability to learn from it and to build bridges of understanding, nurture communities of care and safeguard our shared future.

13. I hope your time in Malaysia brings beautiful memories, new friendships and a deeper appreciation of our shared ASEAN spirit. I cannot let you leave without a word about the food! The local cuisine served today is not just for nourishment; it is our heritage on a plate.

Excellencies,

14. In our fast-paced world, it is genuine moments of connection like this that I find myself most grateful for. Our time together has been truly special, and I eagerly look forward to the day we can all meet again. Please allow me to end with a pantun,

Buah pauh delima batu,

Anak sembilang di tapak tangan Walau jauh di negeri satu,

Hilang di mata, di hati jangan

15. This pantun means no matter the distance, you'll always have a place in my heart.

16. It's a way of saying, out of sight, never out of mind.

Thank you, please enjoy your meal.