Latest news with #58thASEANForeignMinisters'MeetingandRelatedMeetings
Malaysian Reserve
12-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Malaysia can't afford to be seen leaning towards any power
By HIDAYATH HISHAM MALAYSIA must remain visibly neutral in navigating strategic ties with both the United States and China, given its position as a trade-dependent nation. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (picture) said the country's foreign policy must be carefully managed to avoid perceptions of alignment with any major power. 'We are very well-balanced. We are a trading nation. Our economy is based on trade and we can't afford to be seen as leaning towards anybody,' he said at a press conference during the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and Related Meetings at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Friday. Mohamad said the US remains Malaysia's largest investor, while China has long been the country's top trading partner. 'So we have to navigate our and ASEAN's foreign policy, so as not to be seen as leaning towards anybody,' he said. Mohamad added that ASEAN must also continue projecting itself as a neutral bloc to maintain regional stability. 'We are a zone of peace and neutrality. So we balance it properly,' he said. The US is Malaysia's second-largest trading partner, particularly in the electrical and electronics (E&E) sector. About 60% of Malaysia's exports to the US are E&E products, and approximately half of that comprise semiconductors.
Malaysian Reserve
11-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Trump may attend 47th Asean Summit in KL, says Rubio
by HIDAYATH HISHAM US President Donald Trump (picture) may attend the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October, pending final arrangements. US secretary of state Marco Rubio said of the possibility after a trilateral meeting between the US, Japan and the Philippines at the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and Related Meetings at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Thursday. 'It's possible, yes. We're working on getting a date for that, absolutely,' he told reporters. Rubio said the US remains focused on deepening partnerships with Southeast Asian nations, particularly on trade, security and economic connectivity. 'The history of the 21st century will largely be written in the Indo-Pacific and particularly in Southeast Asia,' he said. He added that over 6,000 American companies are currently invested in the region, and that the US intends to build on long-standing cooperation with ASEAN economies. 'We spent decades building these relationships. Not only are we not going to walk away from them, we seek to expand them,' he said. On tariffs, Rubio said trade rebalancing remains a priority under Trump's policy approach, with many countries receiving official notice on adjustments beginning Aug 1. 'Every country in the world is going to get a letter at some point for the most part about the President's rebalancing of trade,' he said. He said Trump had held the same views on trade imbalances since before entering politics, and said the move is a broader effort to protect American workers and industry. 'This is about a rebalancing of our trade relationship. Different countries have different rates based on the status of our trade,' he said. Rubio acknowledged concerns raised by ASEAN foreign ministers over the policy but said discussions remain ongoing. Commenting on the war in Ukraine, Rubio characterised Trump as someone 'who wants to avoid prolonged conflict and end wars.' 'The President wants to end wars. He's not a fan of wars. He thinks wars are a waste of time and a waste of lives,' he said. He said Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov had presented a new idea during meetings in Kuala Lumpur, which would be conveyed to Trump for consideration. 'Well, it's not a new approach. It's a new idea or a new concept that I'll take back to the President to discuss,' he said. Rubio said the proposal may not lead to peace immediately but could open the door to further dialogue. He added that the US remains open to engaging with Russia if there are signs of meaningful progress. 'We shared some information and ideas that I intend to take back to the President. Hopefully it will lead to something positive. I can't guarantee it, 'The President has been frustrated at the lack of progress. He's made that clear publicly. But we'll see if that changes,' he said.
The Sun
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Nearly 1,000 media to cover 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in KL
KUALA LUMPUR: Nearly 1,000 local and international media personnel are gearing up to cover the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and Related Meetings next week. The event will take place from July 8 to 11 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC). International Media Centre (IMC) coordinator Zaria Mohd Nasri confirmed that Bernama, as the official media and IMC coordinator, has completed preparations for the media workspace and secretariat. 'Alhamdulillah, all preparations, particularly for the media secretariat, have been completed,' she said. The media workspace will feature high-speed internet and ample plug points for journalists. A dedicated help desk has also been set up to assist with inquiries. Media representatives can collect their accreditation passes starting today at 4pm. Zaria added that the secretariat has provided online platforms for media access to event photos and ASEAN news at and A walkabout was conducted today for official media to coordinate coverage, with additional sessions planned for domestic and international journalists tomorrow. Embassy representatives will also attend a briefing in the afternoon. The meetings will include 24 sessions at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' level, with participation from Dialogue Partners and ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue partners. Around 1,500 delegates, including foreign ministers from ASEAN member states and Timor-Leste, are expected to attend. Malaysia will also host the 4th Ministerial Meeting of the Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD IV), co-chaired by Japan, focusing on Gaza's reconstruction. This marks Malaysia's fifth ASEAN Chairmanship, having previously led in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015. - Bernama
