Kuala Lampur, Nov. 15 -- NOVEMBER 15 - The rising geopolitical friction between the United States and China has opened what many economists are calling a "transformative opportunity" for Asean.

Critical minerals - rare earth elements, permanent-magnet inputs, and high-tech metals vital for electric vehicles, aerospace, semiconductors, and renewable-energy systems - have become the new strategic currency of the global economy.

As the world seeks supply-chain stability outside China, Southeast Asia has been thrust into unprecedented visibility.

Malaysia, in particular, stands at the centre of this shift. With significant rare-earth resources, an established industrial base, and new high-tech ambitions, the country is no longer a peripher...