(Reuters) - Foreign ministers of the Southeast Asian bloc ASEAN at a weekend retreat upheld their decision to bar Myanmar’s ruling generals from their summits and limit the country's participation to a non-political level, said Malaysia who currently holds the chairmanship on Monday.

The year 2025 will be tough, but if Malaysia uses its position as ASEAN Chair wisely, ASEAN will prove tougher.

A senator told Hegseth: "I suggest you do a little homework before you prepare for these types of negotiations."

Southeast Asia’s economic growth is expected to go into overdrive in 2025, with Asean markets leading the way. According to an Asia House report, Vietnam and Philippines will remain key growth drivers.

By Danial Azhar LANGKAWI, Malaysia (Reuters) -Southeast Asian nations told Myanmar's military government on Sunday its plan to hold an election amid an escalating civil war should not be its priority,

LANGKAWI, Malaysia (Reuters) - The regional bloc ASEAN and China should make headway on a protracted code of conduct for the South China Sea by tackling thorny "milestone issues", including its scope and if it can be legally binding, the Philippines' top diplomat said on Saturday.

The regional bloc told a junta representative at a meeting that a poll is “not a priority at the moment," Malaysia’s foreign minister said.

During his confirmation hearing, Trump’s Defense Secretary nominee couldn’t name a single member of the Southeast Asian bloc.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul met with his Singaporean counterpart Seah Kian Peng, here on Monday as part of his official tour of Asean member countries aimed at strengthening ties and discussing strategic cooperation between parliamentary institutions in the region.

Hegseth responded at the heated Senate confirmation hearing that he couldn’t tell Duckworth the exact number of ASEAN nations, but that “I know we have allies in South Korea and Japan in AUKUS (a pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the U.S.) with Australia.”

Malaysia is calling for the creation of an Interpol-style ASEAN cybercrime task force. Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi spoke at the Asia International Security Expo and he urged the bloc to form the task force to enhance regional cooperation against online threats.

Asia Gaming Brief has officially announced its highly anticipated Seventh ASEAN Gaming Summit, scheduled for March 17-19, 2025. The event will be held at the luxurious Shangri-La The Fort in Manila, Philippines, and promises to bring together key players from the gaming sector to discuss the industry’s future.