As the ASEAN chair next year, Malaysia will lead the regional grouping to ease the US – China tensions, address lingering crisis in Myanmar, and handle issues arising with its neighbours, according to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will convene a meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia on April 24 to discuss efforts in building the ASEAN Community, external relations and regional issues, including the crisis in Myanmar.