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Malaysia boosts intra-ASEAN trade to reduce global dependence
Malaysia boosts intra-ASEAN trade to reduce global dependence

The Sun

time5 days ago

  • Business
  • The Sun

Malaysia boosts intra-ASEAN trade to reduce global dependence

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is focusing on strengthening the ASEAN economic framework by boosting intra-ASEAN trade to ensure the continuity of the region's agenda, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. He said that amid growing global uncertainty, emphasis is now being placed on reinforcing regional economic ties to reduce dependence on traditional external trading partners. 'We can't rely too heavily on our traditional trading partners. Within ASEAN itself, trade among member states is very low, not even reaching 25 per cent. 'Therefore, we've introduced a framework to ensure that trade among ASEAN countries is enhanced,' he said during Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today. He was responding to a supplementary question from Manndzri Nasib (BN-Tenggara) on the key initiatives implemented and planned to ensure the continuity of ASEAN's agenda after Malaysia's chairmanship. Mohamad said key initiatives being pursued include the implementation of ASEAN Vision 2045, a 20-year plan themed 'Our Shared Future', aimed at raising ASEAN's economic standing to be on par with its existing political influence. 'We need to enhance economic activities among ourselves ... even if we increase (intra-ASEAN trade) to 30 or 40 per cent, that would be a significant achievement to reduce the dependence of ASEAN countries, especially Malaysia,' he said. To that end, Mohamad said Malaysia is also diversifying its markets through participation in the BRICS bloc, which represents over 40 per cent of the world's population and 25 per cent of global GDP, while also promoting a strategic trilateral partnership between ASEAN, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China. 'If we can integrate these three major blocs effectively, we have a very promising future. The Gulf countries have strong purchasing power and abundant resources; ASEAN has a large workforce and rich natural resources; and China has a vast market. 'If we can strengthen this trilateral relationship, the economic benefits will be immense for ASEAN countries, particularly Malaysia. Insya-Allah,' he said. Responding to Manndzri's original question on Malaysia's satisfaction with its foreign policy achievements during its ASEAN chairmanship, particularly in strengthening unity, Mohamad said the Myanmar issue remains a key challenge for ASEAN in maintaining regional stability and peace. He described Myanmar's internal conflict as a 'thorn in the flesh' that undermines ASEAN's credibility in championing peace and human rights, especially since the crisis is unfolding within a member state. However, he said Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair, has made various efforts to identify viable peaceful approaches that can be collectively adopted. Mohamad also stressed that ASEAN's current priority is the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus agreed upon by all member states, not recognising the unilateral elections planned by the Myanmar junta. - Bernama

Malaysia Focuses On Strengthening Intra-ASEAN Trade
Malaysia Focuses On Strengthening Intra-ASEAN Trade

Barnama

time5 days ago

  • Business
  • Barnama

Malaysia Focuses On Strengthening Intra-ASEAN Trade

GENERAL KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is focusing on strengthening the ASEAN economic framework by boosting intra-ASEAN trade to ensure the continuity of the region's agenda, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. He said that amid growing global uncertainty, emphasis is now being placed on reinforcing regional economic ties to reduce dependence on traditional external trading partners. 'We can't rely too heavily on our traditional trading partners. Within ASEAN itself, trade among member states is very low, not even reaching 25 per cent. 'Therefore, we've introduced a framework to ensure that trade among ASEAN countries is enhanced,' he said during Minister's Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today. He was responding to a supplementary question from Manndzri Nasib (BN-Tenggara) on the key initiatives implemented and planned to ensure the continuity of ASEAN's agenda after Malaysia's chairmanship. Mohamad said key initiatives being pursued include the implementation of ASEAN Vision 2045, a 20-year plan themed "Our Shared Future", aimed at raising ASEAN's economic standing to be on par with its existing political influence. 'We need to enhance economic activities among ourselves …even if we increase (intra-ASEAN trade) to 30 or 40 per cent, that would be a significant achievement to reduce the dependence of ASEAN countries, especially Malaysia,' he said. To that end, Mohamad said Malaysia is also diversifying its markets through participation in the BRICS bloc, which represents over 40 per cent of the world's population and 25 per cent of global GDP, while also promoting a strategic trilateral partnership between ASEAN, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China. 'If we can integrate these three major blocs effectively, we have a very promising future. The Gulf countries have strong purchasing power and abundant resources; ASEAN has a large workforce and rich natural resources; and China has a vast market.

58th AMM: ASEAN pushes for deeper integration, strategic unity
58th AMM: ASEAN pushes for deeper integration, strategic unity

Malaysian Reserve

time15-07-2025

  • Business
  • Malaysian Reserve

58th AMM: ASEAN pushes for deeper integration, strategic unity

The region's strength lies in its ability to act collectively, grounded in the principles of unity, neutrality and people-centred development by AKMAR ANNUAR ASEAN foreign ministers have reaffirmed their commitment to a more cohesive, resilient and strategically autonomous region during the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM), held in Kuala Lumpur last week. Chaired by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, the meeting focused on advancing the ASEAN Vision 2045 roadmap, strengthening intra-regional cooperation and addressing key regional security and economic challenges amid growing geopolitical tensions. Mohamad, who also chaired the plenary session on July 9, urged ASEAN to stay united and resolute against external pressures, emphasising that 'strategic consistency and internal cohesion' are crucial as the region navigates a volatile global landscape. He underlined that ASEAN's strength lies in its ability to act collectively, grounded in the principles of unity, neutrality and people-centred development. Timor-Leste's Accession: Closing the Loop The meeting endorsed the Guidelines to Facilitate Timor-Leste's Accession to ASEAN Legal Instruments, encouraged the full completion of procedures before the 47th ASEAN Summit and supported the adoption of the ASEAN Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment. The foreign ministers reaffirmed their support for Timor-Leste's membership and called on member states to assist in fast-tracking the signing of ASEAN agreements. This would pave the way for the formal inclusion of Timor-Leste at the 47th Summit in October. UKM political analyst Dr Mazlan Ali said Malaysia's leadership as ASEAN chair has demonstrated the country's potential to drive positive outcomes for the region. 'Malaysia's political and economic stability gives it the credibility to influence key ASEAN directions. For example, Malaysia's diplomacy played a key role in persuading major powers to consider South-East Asia's 1995 nuclear-free agreement,' he told The Malaysian Reserve (TMR). Mazlan added that Malaysia's ability to avoid confrontation while pursuing dialogue with global powers like the US and China enables ASEAN to position itself as a balanced player. 'It is realistic for ASEAN to reduce reliance on external powers by strengthening internal trade and policy alignment. Malaysia plays a bridging role here,' he said. On Timor-Leste's accession, he warned that further delays could invite external influence. 'If ASEAN does not accelerate Timor-Leste's membership, there is a risk it becomes a pawn in major power competition,' he opined. People-first Diplomacy A central priority of the 58th AMM was for ASEAN to go beyond mere declarations and ensure that its frameworks and roadmaps deliver tangible, meaningful benefits to the people of the region. Mohamad repeatedly highlighted the importance of people-centred outcomes. 'What the people want is implementation, not just communiqués. We must match ambition with delivery,' he said at a press conference. Economist Assoc Prof Dr Aimi Zulhazmi Abdul Rashid said ASEAN must urgently act on its economic strategic plan. He said Malaysia needs to significantly boost intra-ASEAN trade, especially in food and essential goods, given the rising uncertainties from global protectionism. ASEAN has the potential to shift from being just a manufacturing base to becoming a high-tech hub. 'With nearly 700 million people and a GDP approaching US$4 trillion (RM17 trillion), ASEAN can leverage second-mover advantage, learn from China's path and enhance its value chain,' he told TMR. Aimi Zulhazmi said the bloc's economic plans must translate into real gains for ordinary people. This would translate into improved wages for workers, the creation of more employment opportunities and greater investment in connectivity infrastructure that could attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and help build a resilient middle class across the region. He also called for ASEAN economies to adopt a region-wide second-mover strategy. 'Learn from China, take the good parts and improve on the gaps. That is how ASEAN becomes globally competitive without reinventing the wheel.' Nuclear Cooperation: New Energy Diplomacy In a bilateral engagement on the sidelines, Malaysia and the US signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on strategic civilian nuclear cooperation. The agreement includes collaboration in areas such as human capital development, regulation and peaceful application of nuclear technology in agriculture and healthcare. Mohamad said the MoU marked Malaysia's 'readiness to explore clean energy pathways while maintaining a peaceful foreign policy doctrine.' Aimi Zulhazmi said Malaysia's credibility as a neutral and peaceful nation makes it well to engage responsibly in such programmes. 'This is not about military ambition. It is about securing long-term energy stability.' ASEAN should collectively explore peaceful nuclear applications. 'This should not be an exclusive West-aligned agenda. ASEAN should open dialogue with multiple partners like China, South Korea and the European Union (EU),' he added. Mazlan shared similar views, noting Malaysia's long-standing diplomacy track record. He said Malaysia has always been trusted globally. 'We are not part of military alliances or arms races. That gives legitimacy to our pursuit of civilian nuclear development.' Rights, Environment and Digital Protection Another major outcome of the 58th AMM was the endorsement of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights' (AICHR) Priority Programmes for 2025 and its Five-Year Work Plan for 2026-2030. In layman terms, AICHR is ASEAN's official body responsible for promoting human rights in the region. It focuses on issues such as access to justice, the rights of vulnerable groups, digital protection and climate-induced displacement. The ministers expressed their full support for AICHR's plans, encouraging it to carry out its mandate in line with both ASEAN values and international human rights standards. This was complemented by the adoption of the ASEAN Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment. The declaration links human rights to environmental protection, signalling stronger cooperation on green policies, climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction. The bloc's economic plans must translate into real gains for ordinary people, says Aimi Zulhazmi (Pic courtesy of Aimi Zulhazmi) Realising ASEAN Connectivity Wisma Putra-Youth Diplomacy Task Force member Azwan Omar agreed that ASEAN must prioritise the removal of non-tariff barriers and accelerate banking integration. He said this will facilitate smoother capital movement and trade financing across ASEAN, adding that with better infrastructure and policy connectivity, intra-ASEAN investment could flourish. 'We need to grow our own demand base. That comes from a strong middle class and improved income distribution,' he told TMR. Azwan also welcomed Algeria and Uruguay's inclusion in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in South-East Asia (TAC), saying it reinforces ASEAN's non-aligned identity. 'This sends a signal that ASEAN is open for business, but not taking sides in global rivalries.' He also stressed the importance of translating strategic plans into action. 'Enough talk. Let's start building real ASEAN connectivity — roads, rails and digital infrastructure that people can see and feel,' he said. Azwan also supported the MOU on nuclear cooperation, calling it a long-term step toward energy security. To keep growing, Malaysia needs stable and excess electricity, which is critical for future investors. Reinforcing ASEAN's Geopolitical Identity With Algeria and Uruguay signing the TAC and Timor-Leste on track for accession, ASEAN continues to reinforce its identity as a neutral and non-aligned regional bloc. Experts say this gives ASEAN more geopolitical leverage in an increasingly divided world. Azwan said international recognition of ASEAN as a free and non-aligned region allows sovereign nations to conduct business and investment here without being drawn into US-China rivalry. Meanwhile, Mazlan said Timor-Leste's full inclusion would help secure the bloc's cohesion. 'ASEAN must not allow outside powers to influence member candidates. If we delay, others will step in.' Mazlan also cautioned that ASEAN's internal harmonisation of laws, especially in areas such as trade and cybersecurity, remains insufficient. The lack of legal alignment allows cyber-criminals to take advantage of regulatory gaps between member states, making it difficult to pursue enforcement. He pointed to the rising cases of digital scams and online fraud as pressing concerns, noting that some perpetrators operate from neighbouring ASEAN countries and evade prosecution due to overlapping jurisdictions and enforcement loopholes. Mazlan stressed that urgent reform is needed to implement synchronised digital laws and robust cross-border enforcement mechanisms across the region. Centrality in Global Disruption The 58th AMM also addressed regional responses to global instability. The ministers reaffirmed ASEAN Centrality and non-alignment as core principles amid ongoing tension in the South China Sea, protectionist trade policies and energy insecurity. TMR earlier reported that during the plenary session, Mohamad stressed that ASEAN will continue to deal with regional and strategic challenges in its own way — not mirroring other blocs or alliances. 'We need to reaffirm our strategic consistency and internal cohesion. If ASEAN is fragmented, external powers will exploit the vacuum,' he warned. The meeting's declarations and MOUs signal ASEAN's intent to position itself as a stabilising force, but analysts stress that success depends on follow-through before the 47th ASEAN Summit later this year. Aimi Zulhazmi said ASEAN's collective voice can only be strong if member states act as one. With a population of nearly 700 million and combined GDP of almost US$4 trillion, ASEAN has significant leverage. 'But that leverage is only real if it is coordinated,' he said. The Road to 47th ASEAN Summit While declarations were made on environment, human rights and nuclear energy, observers note that the region's credibility depends on delivery. Mohamad pointed out that the region is no longer insulated from global disruption. 'Whether it is trade wars, cybercrime, or climate shifts, ASEAN must be a source of certainty in an uncertain world,' he said. He reiterated that ASEAN must not only chart policy but materialise the spirit of its commitments. 'We must uphold the trust placed in us by the people.' As ASEAN moves towards the 47th Summit, focus will remain on the operationalisation of Timor-Leste's accession, the rollout of legal harmonisation frameworks, energy transition and accelerating intra-ASEAN trade mechanisms. Mazlan emphasised that ASEAN must move beyond being merely a platform for dialogue and instead evolve into a proactive, unified force that protects its people, promotes shared prosperity and upholds peace in a turbulent world. This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition

ASEAN youths urge action on digital literacy, climate change
ASEAN youths urge action on digital literacy, climate change

The Sun

time26-05-2025

  • Politics
  • The Sun

ASEAN youths urge action on digital literacy, climate change

KUALA LUMPUR: Youths across ASEAN have called for urgent efforts to strengthen digital literacy and tackle climate change, identifying both as critical pillars for sustainable development and a greener future. Malaysian youth representative Izzat Afifi Abdul Hamid said these issues received strong and encouraging feedback from ASEAN leaders, who expressed hope that the region's youth would take a more proactive role in shaping ASEAN's development, in line with ASEAN Vision 2045. 'We focused on youth development in a joint statement prepared by ASEAN youth representatives since last Wednesday,' he told reporters after the 4th ASEAN Leaders' Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Youth, held on the sidelines of the 46th ASEAN Summit here today. Izzat Afifi, who is also Malaysian Youth Council president, said the statement was well received, with leaders responding positively to the recommendations put forward by the youth delegates. During the session, which was attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim along with ASEAN leaders and youth representatives, Izzat Afifi delivered the joint statement titled 'Youth for a Sustainable Future: Empowering Inclusion and Driving Change in ASEAN', outlining nine key points to enhance youth development across the region. Also present were Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and Deputy Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim. Meanwhile, Michelle Ann M. Villanueva of the National Youth Council of the Philippines expressed appreciation for the opportunity to elevate youth voices at the regional level. 'We are heard, we matter, and it is just an amazing experience because the people in the highest positions - those involved in policymaking and decision-making for every country in ASEAN - were there, and they heard what we had to say,' she said. The 46th ASEAN Summit is being held under Malaysia's 2025 Chairmanship, themed 'Inclusivity and Sustainability.' This marks Malaysia's fifth time serving as ASEAN Chair, following previous terms in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015. In conjunction with the summit, two high-level engagements -- the 2nd ASEAN-GCC Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit -- will also be convened, aimed at advancing regional and inter-regional cooperation.

ASEAN Youths Urge Action On Digital Literacy, Climate Change
ASEAN Youths Urge Action On Digital Literacy, Climate Change

Barnama

time26-05-2025

  • Politics
  • Barnama

ASEAN Youths Urge Action On Digital Literacy, Climate Change

Malaysian representative and Malaysian Youth Council (MBM) President Mohd Izzat Afifi Abdul Hamid (fourth left) delivers the ASEAN Youth statement at the ASEAN Leaders' Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Youth, held today in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. --fotoBERNAMA (2025) COPYRIGHT RESERVED KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 (Bernama) -- Youths across ASEAN have called for urgent efforts to strengthen digital literacy and tackle climate change, identifying both as critical pillars for sustainable development and a greener future. Malaysian youth representative Izzat Afifi Abdul Hamid said these issues received strong and encouraging feedback from ASEAN leaders, who expressed hope that the region's youth would take a more proactive role in shaping ASEAN's development, in line with ASEAN Vision 2045. 'We focused on youth development in a joint statement prepared by ASEAN youth representatives since last Wednesday,' he told reporters after the 4th ASEAN Leaders' Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Youth, held on the sidelines of the 46th ASEAN Summit here today. Izzat Afifi, who is also Malaysian Youth Council president, said the statement was well received, with leaders responding positively to the recommendations put forward by the youth delegates. During the session, which was attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim along with ASEAN leaders and youth representatives, Izzat Afifi delivered the joint statement titled 'Youth for a Sustainable Future: Empowering Inclusion and Driving Change in ASEAN', outlining nine key points to enhance youth development across the region. Also present were Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and Deputy Minister Adam Adli Abdul Halim. Meanwhile, Michelle Ann M. Villanueva of the National Youth Council of the Philippines expressed appreciation for the opportunity to elevate youth voices at the regional level. 'We are heard, we matter, and it is just an amazing experience because the people in the highest positions - those involved in policymaking and decision-making for every country in ASEAN - were there, and they heard what we had to say,' she said. The 46th ASEAN Summit is being held under Malaysia's 2025 Chairmanship, themed 'Inclusivity and Sustainability.'

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