ASEAN is deepening economic linkages, widening trade and enhancing competitiveness, the Malaysia Prime Minister and ASEAN chair said at the opening of the twice-yearly leaders’ summit where he welcomed Timor-Leste’s admission to the “family”. KUALA LUMPUR: The Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) must have the courage to forge new partnerships and deepen existing ones amid rising protectionism and shifting supply chains, said the bloc’s chairman Anwar Ibrahim on Sunday (Oct 26) as it