logo
Malaysia reaffirms ASEAN human rights agenda under 2045 vision

Malaysia reaffirms ASEAN human rights agenda under 2045 vision

The Sun10 hours ago
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan has reinforced the importance of advancing human rights within ASEAN as part of regional integration efforts.
Speaking at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Interface with AICHR Representatives, he stressed that human rights remain central to ASEAN's community-building process.
Mohamad welcomed the progress made by the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), particularly in drafting two key declarations. These focus on the right to a safe, clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, as well as the right to development and peace. 'These initiatives reflect ASEAN's shared commitment to addressing inequality, environmental concerns, and global challenges,' he said.
The minister also emphasised that AICHR will continue to be a cornerstone in promoting social development and justice, aligning with the ASEAN 2045 Vision. The meeting, attended by ASEAN foreign ministers and Timor-Leste as an observer, set the tone for Malaysia's 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship, which prioritises inclusivity and sustainability.
Malaysia's AICHR Representative and Chair for 2025, Edmund Bon Tai Soon, presented the AICHR Annual Report during the session. The 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and related events will host 24 ministerial-level discussions with ASEAN Dialogue Partners, bringing together around 1,500 delegates. - Bernama
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

FMM seeks swift diplomatic and domestic interventions to counter US tariff impact
FMM seeks swift diplomatic and domestic interventions to counter US tariff impact

The Star

time5 hours ago

  • The Star

FMM seeks swift diplomatic and domestic interventions to counter US tariff impact

Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing (FMM) president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai KUALA LUMPUR: The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing (FMM) has called on the government to intensify its diplomatic and policy response following the United States' announcement of a 25 per cent blanket tariff on Malaysian exports. Its president, Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai, said these efforts must be escalated to secure an immediate deferral of the Aug 1, 2025, implementation and work toward a longer-term exemption or rollback. He said the newly announced 25 per cent blanket tariff, if implemented as scheduled, is expected to intensify these pressures across the board, particularly for companies operating on thin margins or bound by long-term supply contracts. "Malaysia's case must be urgently elevated at the highest levels of US policymaking, supported by strong data and strategic positioning that highlight our value to US supply chains. "At the same time, domestic countermeasures must be rolled out to support affected industries, including targeted financial relief, strengthened export promotion, and fast-tracked structural reforms to enhance cost efficiency and competitiveness," said Soh in a statement today. To support exporters in weathering current shocks and repositioning for growth, he recommended enhancing export facilitation by increasing the Market Development Grant ceiling, removing the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) administrative fees for trade missions led by associations, and providing targeted incentives for branding, certification, and digital market access. Soh noted that Malaysia must drive productivity-led growth by accelerating Industry 4.0 adoption through tax incentives, digitalisation grants for small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs), and low-interest financing for technology upgrades. "These incentives must be backed by workforce upskilling programmes and inclusive access to government support funds, ensuring all firms can participate in the transition. "In addition, foreign worker levy collections should be redirected into dedicated funds to support apprenticeship schemes and high-tech investment," he said. Soh highlighted that Malaysia should lead efforts under its ASEAN chairmanship to establish a regional ASEAN Supply Chain Coordination Council. He said that this will ensure cohesive regional responses to global trade shocks, reduce overreliance on external supply chains and enhance intra-ASEAN production linkages, policy alignment, and supply chain resilience. "At the strategic level, Malaysia must actively expand its trade architecture by accelerating the conclusion of the Malaysia-European Union Free Trade Agreement and intensifying negotiations with new and emerging markets, including in Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. "A broader and more diversified trade base is essential to reduce reliance on any single export destination and reinforce Malaysia's global competitiveness amid continued external shocks," Soh emphasised. The federation also urges the government to review and reform the Sales and Service Tax (SST) structure by introducing a business-to-business (B2B) service tax exemption for licensed manufacturers, automatically applied upon provision of a valid sales tax licence number. He said the long-term solution must be the creation of a tax framework that fully removes the tax-on-tax element and restores neutrality across the manufacturing supply chain. - Bernama

Malaysia calls U.S. 25 pct tariff disruptive to business, supply chains
Malaysia calls U.S. 25 pct tariff disruptive to business, supply chains

Malaysia Sun

time5 hours ago

  • Malaysia Sun

Malaysia calls U.S. 25 pct tariff disruptive to business, supply chains

Xinhua 08 Jul 2025, 13:15 GMT+10 KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 (Xinhua) -- The imposition of a tariff rate of 25 percent on Malaysian exports to the United States is potentially disruptive to business operations, supply chains, and investment flows that benefit both countries, Malaysia's Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry said on Tuesday. Malaysia is however still committed to negotiations to reach a fair and sustainable outcome for both parties, it said in a statement following a letter by U.S. President Donald Trump addressed to Malaysian King Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar. "Malaysia views unilateral measures as potentially disruptive to business operations, supply chains, and investment flows that benefit both countries," it said. "Malaysia strongly believes that together, we can find mutually acceptable solutions that safeguard the interests of both our countries and our peoples, while ensuring that bilateral trade and investment remain a positive force for sustainable economic development," it added. The tariff rate is scheduled to be imposed from Aug. 1, 2025.

Scramble to assess broader damage from 25% US tariff
Scramble to assess broader damage from 25% US tariff

The Sun

time6 hours ago

  • The Sun

Scramble to assess broader damage from 25% US tariff

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian businesses and national-level economic groups are scrambling to assess the broader damage from the United States' 25% tariff on Malaysian products that is set to go into effect on Aug 1. The tariff is part of a wider US push to reshore manufacturing and limit dependence on strategic imports. In addition to electrical and electronic (E&E) products, sectors likely to be affected include rubber gloves, semiconductor components, industrial machinery and palm oil derivatives. Penang Chinese Town Hall president Tan Sri Tan Khoon Hai warned that the sudden move would undercut Malaysia's cost competitiveness in the US market. 'This move may strain Malaysia-US trade ties and shake investor confidence, especially among foreign investors who use Malaysia as a manufacturing base to access American markets,' he told theSun. He said exporters risk losing market share to countries such as Vietnam and Thailand, which are not facing similar tariff pressures. The higher landed cost of Malaysian goods, he added, could price local products out of the US market and divert future investments elsewhere. Tan highlighted that the E&E sector – Malaysia's top export to the US – will be hit hardest, with glove and machinery producers also vulnerable due to thin global margins. Calling for immediate federal action, Tan urged a delay in expanding the Sales and Service Tax and postponement of the electricity tariff hike, warning these would add to producers' burden. He also suggested Bank Negara Malaysia consider lowering the base lending rate. He further proposed creating a 'tariff buffer fund' offering tax deductions over three to five years for companies importing key machinery. Tan also called for deeper Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership integration and proposed transforming Penang into a regional semiconductor hub, backed by university partnerships and a Penang Talent Reskilling Fund focusing on artificial intelligence, green technology and automation. Senior fellow at the Malay Economic Action Council (MTEM) and executive council member of Dewan Perniagaan Melayu Malaysia Datuk Yazid Othman stressed that the government must confront the reality of shrinking national revenue and act swiftly. 'The government must accept the reality that national revenue projections will decline and respond appropriately by focusing on further strengthening the domestic economy and alternative markets, while at the same time protecting SMEs from becoming victims of dumping of cheap imports,' he said. Yazid also called for a recalibrated fiscal policy to stimulate economic activity and raise household income.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store