Jakarta, July 30 -- Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on July 29 called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to focus the bloc's energies inward, towards building a more integrated and resilient ASEAN economy.

In his policy address in ASEAN at ASEAN Secreteriat in Jakarta on July 29, Anwar said that the region is home to a vast and vibrant market of 660 million people. The potential is undeniable, but to realise it fully, ASEAN must narrow the existing development gaps and forge stronger, more equitable economic linkages across member states.

He said at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, ASEAN will once again demonstrate its collective commitment towards improving the unimpeded flow of goods within t...