logo
ASEAN as global peace model affirmed by Malaysia and Brunei

ASEAN as global peace model affirmed by Malaysia and Brunei

The Sun5 days ago
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Brunei have voiced strong confidence in ASEAN's ability to remain a leading example of diplomacy and global peace.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim highlighted this during a phone discussion with Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah following his arrival at the ASEAN Secretariat Building in Jakarta.
'We touched on ASEAN as well as talking about efforts to reconcile Thailand and Cambodia, which agreed to unconditionally stop all forms of violence yesterday.
'God willing, we are confident that ASEAN will continue to be a model region in promoting diplomacy and global peace,' Anwar shared in a Facebook post.
The breakthrough follows a special ASEAN meeting chaired by Anwar in Putrajaya, where Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire to de-escalate border tensions.
The meeting saw the participation of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai.
Key international stakeholders, including US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard Kagan and Chinese Ambassador Ouyang Yujing, also attended.
The US co-organised the session, while China observed in support of a peaceful resolution.
The longstanding border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia spans 817 kilometres, with tensions escalating since late May after clashes near Preah Vihear claimed a Cambodian soldier's life.
Renewed skirmishes on July 24 further strained relations before the ceasefire agreement.
Anwar later proceeded to Jakarta for the 13th Annual Consultation with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. – Bernama
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Anwar: Sulawesi Sea talks must honour legal, historical claims
Anwar: Sulawesi Sea talks must honour legal, historical claims

New Straits Times

time15 minutes ago

  • New Straits Times

Anwar: Sulawesi Sea talks must honour legal, historical claims

KOTA KINABALU: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has assured that any discussion involving the Sulawesi Sea must be based on legal and historical considerations, with outcomes requiring the agreement of both the Sabah government and the state legislative assembly. He said bilateral discussions with the Indonesian president concerning the Sulawesi Sea were conducted in the presence of Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. Anwar assured that not even an inch of Sabah's land or sea would be ceded.

MAG's Boeing Jet Purchase Not Linked To Tariff Talks, Minister Clarifies
MAG's Boeing Jet Purchase Not Linked To Tariff Talks, Minister Clarifies

BusinessToday

time19 minutes ago

  • BusinessToday

MAG's Boeing Jet Purchase Not Linked To Tariff Talks, Minister Clarifies

The recent aircraft purchase by Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) from Boeing was a long-planned business decision, not a concession linked to tariff negotiations with the US, the Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz clarified. He explained that the purchase was made using MAG's own funds and is not in any way related to the tariff discussions with the US government. 'This is a commercial decision made in line with MAG's fleet renewal strategy, not one driven by diplomatic pressure or public spending,' he said in a Facebook posting on Aug 2. The minister also noted that the Boeing deal had been announced as early as March 2025, well before the US imposed any new tariff on Malaysian exports. 'At the time of the announcement, there was no indication from the US about imposing new tariffs. To suggest the aircraft order was a reaction to tariffs is simply not accurate,' he said. However, Tengku Zafrul acknowledged that Malaysia had strategically highlighted large-scale purchases from American companies, including MAG's aircraft deal, during negotiations to demonstrate the country's role as a significant trade partner to the US. 'By showing that Malaysia also imports high-value products from the US, we helped shift the narrative away from a one-sided trade surplus. 'This helped convince US authorities to revise the tariff rate downward from 25% to 19%,' he explained. He described the move as a 'smart and calculated' approach that protected both corporate interests and national economic priorities. 'The MAG-Boeing deal was never about appeasement. It was about demonstrating that Malaysia is a responsible and reciprocal trading partner while staying true to the commercial viability of every decision,' Tengku Zafrul said.

Thai-Cambodia truce: Malaysia urged to turn focus to Myanmar crisis
Thai-Cambodia truce: Malaysia urged to turn focus to Myanmar crisis

Daily Express

timean hour ago

  • Daily Express

Thai-Cambodia truce: Malaysia urged to turn focus to Myanmar crisis

Published on: Sunday, August 03, 2025 Published on: Sun, Aug 03, 2025 Text Size: A school was destroyed in northern Cambodia during the five-day border conflict. PHNOM PENH: Following its successful mediation of the Cambodia-Thailand border truce, Malaysia may now seek to apply a similar conflict resolution model to one of Asean's most intractable challenges – the ongoing armed conflict in Myanmar. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia's assertive diplomacy is redefining Asean's role, transforming the bloc from a passive consensus-based forum into a more active regional player capable of navigating complex crises, according to political observers. In just four months as Asean chair, Anwar has secured two major diplomatic breakthroughs in addressing long-standing regional crises – moves that have drawn praise from the international community. Former Indian Ambassador to Thailand Anil Wadhwa noted that Anwar's proactive approach is challenging Asean's longstanding principle of non-interference - necessary to address the ongoing crises and issues like human trafficking and scams. 'By doing so, Malaysia is restoring Asean relevance in addressing the Myanmar crisis and promoting human security in the region. Malaysia will do well to ride on its success in the Thai-Cambodia conflict and try the Asean mediation between the military regime and the NUG and other disparate groups,' Anil told Bernama from New Delhi. Anil, who served as India's envoy to Thailand from 2011 to 2014, underscored the urgency for Asean to develop a workable political framework to address Myanmar's multi-layered crisis – one that has defied solutions for decades. Anwar, however, broke the bitter diplomatic deadlock in mid-April. He met Myanmar's State Administration Council Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in Bangkok and also consulted the National Unity Government (NUG) representatives to allow the flow of humanitarian aid into earthquake-hit regions – a rare moment of cooperation between the two rival entities. Most recently, Anwar hosted a high stakes meeting in Putrajaya between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, successfully defusing tensions along the two countries' shared border. The ceasefire, widely seen as a major Asean achievement, prevented a broader military escalation and ensured the safety of thousands of civilians. The 77-year-old leader's diplomatic masterstrokes brought the much-needed calm to the border communities on both sides and helped save thousands of lives. Otherwise, it could have turned into a costly military confrontation, destabilising the region. Still, Myanmar's situation presents a more complex challenge. The country's civil war involves some 20 ethnic armed groups, many of whom have been fighting for autonomy or independence since 1948. With over 135 recognised ethnic groups and competing visions of governance, the path to peace is steep. 'Asean needs leadership – and Anwar is providing that,' remarked Kavi Chongkittavorn, a senior fellow at Chulalongkorn University's Institute of Security and International Studies in Bangkok. 'He is making Asean more relevant under Malaysia's leadership, Timor-Leste is accepted into Asean, and to solve the Myanmar crisis, Asean needs the leadership too. 'Now Asean can engage superpowers, especially the US and China and others more effectively. Malaysia announced the new Vision 2045 that envisages the bloc as future-ready. Anwar is doing exactly that. It will take time to further rebrand Asean,' he told Bernama. He also highlighted the significance of the Thai-Cambodia ceasefire, calling it a milestone, especially since Thailand had previously rejected Asean mediation during similar border clashes in 2008 and 2011. While the world's focus shifted to the border tussle in recent days, Myanmar continues to grapple with its domestic predicaments from economic hardship, natural calamities, raging civil war in various states and internally displaced people. The military coup on February 1, 2021, has displaced at least three million people, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation. 'The only way to solve the crisis in Myanmar is for the military government and the NUG constituents to come together to discuss power sharing, revenue sharing formula and open humanitarian corridors. The people of Myanmar need to be freed of their burden,' said Anil. The military government recently lifted its four-year-old state of emergency and has announced plans to hold national elections in December. Whether Asean, under Malaysia's leadership, can facilitate meaningful dialogue in Myanmar remains to be seen. But as Anwar continues to chart a more assertive course, political analysts agree: Asean may be inching closer to becoming a truly effective regional actor. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia

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