Latest news with #AFMM
New Straits Times
26-06-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
No road closures for Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting, says Fahmi
PUTRAJAYA: There will be no road closure for the Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AFMM) and related meetings taking place from July 8 to 11 in Kuala Lumpur, said government spokesman Datuk Fahmi Fadzil today (June 26). "There will be no road closures for this event. However, for the 47th Asean Summit scheduled in October, more information will be provided as the date approaches." Previously, a large-scale dry run involving traffic control and road closures in preparation for the 46th Asean Summit 2025 was conducted. Five highways and 25 roads across the capital were affected during the summit. Among the affected routes were those linking Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang to the city centre, official accommodation venues, the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) and Istana Negara. The affected highways were Maju Expressway, Duta–Ulu Klang Expressway, Ampang–Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway, Shah Alam Expressway and the SMART Tunnel.
Free Malaysia Today
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Asean mulls permanent envoy to Myanmar on 3-year term
Foreign minister Mohamad Hasan at the Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur today. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR : Asean foreign ministers are considering a proposal to appoint a permanent special envoy to handle the protracted Myanmar crisis, in a shift from the current practice of rotating the role annually among member states. Foreign minister Mohamad Hasan said they had agreed to begin internal consultations on the proposal, which received broad support at the Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AFMM) here today. 'To us, every year we have to change the special envoy, then we have to start all over again and there's no end to it. 'So, we have agreed that we want to explore (this proposal) … and nobody said otherwise. 'And it's just a matter of who is going to be the permanent special envoy, well, maybe for a three-year term,' he told a press conference after chairing the meeting. Under existing arrangements, the special envoy is appointed by the Asean chair on a yearly basis. As chair for 2025, Malaysia has named Othman Hashim as the bloc's fifth envoy since the February 2021 military coup that plunged Myanmar into political and humanitarian turmoil. When asked about whether Asean's non-interference policy limited its ability to handle the civil war in Myanmar, Mohamad reiterated that the 'Asean way' does not seek to meddle in the internal affairs of its member states. However, he said the Myanmar crisis has spilled over to neighbouring countries. 'We now have to deal with transnational crime, money laundering via job scams, millions of people being displaced and a growing refugee crisis. 'Malaysia itself is dealing with 200,000 Rohingya refugees. 'We are not trying to meddle in their affairs, but this has become an Asean issue,' he said.
New Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Tok Mat: Asean must not remain silent on Myanmar [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia, as Asean Chair, reiterated its call for all stakeholders in Myanmar to cease hostilities and to extend and expand the ceasefire, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. In his opening remarks at the Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AFMM), Mohamad said Asean could not remain silent and must use its voice to speak up for the oppressed and offer solutions grounded in principles and international law. "At the regional level, we have asserted and demonstrated our proactiveness. Asean took swift and immediate action following the tragic earthquake that struck parts of Myanmar and Thailand. "Our quick response is a reflection of the spirit of compassion, solidarity and humanity that inspired the founding of Asean itself. It is also a testament to the unwavering commitment of the Asean family to support Myanmar in this time of adversity. "We call on the stakeholders in Myanmar to cease hostilities, and to extend and expand the ceasefire, to facilitate the long and difficult path towards recovery, and ease the suffering of the people of Myanmar. "This tragedy has reminded us that crises do not recognise borders. Natural disasters are much like the global challenges we face today. They demand collective resolve and solidarity," he said today. Mohamad added that Asean's collective spirit must now guide the regional bloc as it confronts challenges within and beyond the region, amid uncertainties of the present and the future. "Crises around the world continue unabated. The total siege of Gaza by the Israeli forces is causing mass starvation and deaths. "The atrocities committed against the Palestinian people continue to reflect indifference and double standards. They are a direct result of the erosion of the sanctity of international law. "Asean cannot remain silent. We have a voice in world affairs, and we must use our voice to speak up for the oppressed and offer solutions grounded in principles and international law," he said. The AFMM would centre on advancing A sean community-building efforts in the lead-up to the 46th Asean Summit, which is set to commence tomorrow. Ministers will also discuss the follow-up to the Asean Leaders' review of the Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar yesterday and hold consultations on Timor-Leste's full membership in Asean. The meeting will focus on advancing Asean Community-building efforts, with a briefing from the Asean Secretariat on developments under the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC).
New Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Reducing income disparity must be a priority for Asean, says Tok Mat
KUALA LUMPUR: Reducing income disparities within Asean must be viewed as a priority, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. In his opening remarks at the Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AFMM) he said aside from increasing the volume of trade within the region, it must also continue to enhance the mechanisms that facilitate intra-Asean trade. "As we advance our community-building efforts, we must confront the reality that reducing the income disparities within Asean must be viewed as a priority. "Therefore, aside from increasing the volume of trade within our region, we must also continue to enhance the mechanisms that facilitate intra-Asean trade. "By tailoring them to our member states' unique strengths, we can address uneven economic growth within this grouping. Diversifying our partnerships will also empower us to handle future shocks that come from external economic factors," he said today. Mohamad said a global economic slowdown is likely to happen exacerbated by the United States-imposed tariffs, the US-China trade war and accelerating impacts of climate change and technological disruption. "These issues are expected to hit Southeast Asia particularly hard. The low-lying countries of our region are exposed to rising sea levels. "Our already warm climate may see an increase in extreme weather events, and overwhelm public health infrastructure if temperatures continue to climb. And our populations, who enjoy high internet penetration rates, are vulnerable to the malevolent use of A.I. and other unregulated, disruptive tech. "It is therefore with great urgency that I remind you all, of the great need for us to approach the issues on the horizon, as a collective. We must take an active role in weathering the turbulence of the coming years," he said. He added that Asean must seize this moment to deepen regional economic integration, so that it could better shield the region from external shocks. "This collective effort will enable Asean to weather challenges, minimise impact on our people, and continue to grow sustainably with a future-proof mindset," he said. He said Asean Centrality should be the region's compass as it engages the world, and navigates the complexities of external relations. Unity, he said, is more important than ever as the world becomes more polarised. "Only Asean speaks for Southeast Asia. This centrality will continue to be tested. It is therefore crucial that we reinforce the ties that bind us, so as to not unravel under external pressures. "We must continue to promote a model grounded in dialogue, cooperation, and multilateralism. We must think seriously about how we can constructively and positively contribute to global developments and evolution. "This includes speaking out firmly, as one voice, on issues of peace, justice, equality, humanity and international law," he said. He also reiterated that Malaysia's Asean theme of "Inclusivity and Sustainability" is not merely a slogan but a strategic moral proposition. Mohamad said the Asean Community Vision 2045 which would be launched tomorrow is not merely a ceremonial marker but reaffirming the region's shared commitment to a secure, peaceful, resilient, and people-centred Asean. "Let us face the future not as individual nations charting separate paths, but as one community, anchored in mutual respect and shared goals. "Our strength has always come from our diversity, and the conviction that differences are not divisions. Rather, they are building blocks for bridges to greater understanding, and appreciation of how our individual and collective characteristics contribute, to enrich Asean and the Asean Community. "The world is watching, but more importantly, our people are depending on us. Let us move forward with clarity, unity, and purpose. The future of Asean depends on the choices we make today. "Malaysia will spare no effort to ensure that our chairmanship advances this shared vision," he said.
New Straits Times
25-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Tok Mat: Asean must not remain silent on Myanmar
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia, as Asean Chair, reiterated its call for all stakeholders in Myanmar to cease hostilities and to extend and expand the ceasefire, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. In his opening remarks at the Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AFMM), Mohamad said Asean could not remain silent and must use its voice to speak up for the oppressed and offer solutions grounded in principles and international law. "At the regional level, we have asserted and demonstrated our proactiveness. Asean took swift and immediate action following the tragic earthquake that struck parts of Myanmar and Thailand. "Our quick response is a reflection of the spirit of compassion, solidarity and humanity that inspired the founding of Asean itself. It is also a testament to the unwavering commitment of the Asean family to support Myanmar in this time of adversity. "We call on the stakeholders in Myanmar to cease hostilities, and to extend and expand the ceasefire, to facilitate the long and difficult path towards recovery, and ease the suffering of the people of Myanmar. "This tragedy has reminded us that crises do not recognise borders. Natural disasters are much like the global challenges we face today. They demand collective resolve and solidarity," he said today. Mohamad added that Asean's collective spirit must now guide the regional bloc as it confronts challenges within and beyond the region, amid uncertainties of the present and the future. "Crises around the world continue unabated. The total siege of Gaza by the Israeli forces is causing mass starvation and deaths. "The atrocities committed against the Palestinian people continue to reflect indifference and double standards. They are a direct result of the erosion of the sanctity of international law. "Asean cannot remain silent. We have a voice in world affairs, and we must use our voice to speak up for the oppressed and offer solutions grounded in principles and international law," he said. The AFMM would centre on advancing A sean community-building efforts in the lead-up to the 46th Asean Summit, which is set to commence tomorrow. Ministers will also discuss the follow-up to the Asean Leaders' review of the Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar yesterday and hold consultations on Timor-Leste's full membership in Asean. The meeting will focus on advancing Asean Community-building efforts, with a briefing from the Asean Secretariat on developments under the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC).
