Latest news with #BruneiDarussalam
The Sun
19-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Malaysia U-23 squad crushes Brunei 7-1 in AFF Championship
THE Malaysian Under-23 (U-23) football squad revived their chances of reaching the semi-finals of the AFF U-23 Championship with a 7-1 goal fest against Brunei Darussalam at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium this evening. The strategy by head coach Nafuzi Zain, who made five changes from the starting line-up that lost to the Philippines in the opening match recently, saw the national squad deliver a dominant performance throughout the match. Malaysia opened the scoring as early as the third minute through Muhammad Danish Syamer Tajuddin, before a defensive error by Brunei saw the ball deflected into their own net a minute later, giving Malaysia a 2-0 advantage. Mohammad Haykal Danish Mohd Haizon found the back of the net in the 32nd minute, followed by a strike from Muhammad Haqimi Azim Rosli eight minutes later to give Malaysia a commanding 4-0 lead at halftime. Danish Hakimi Sahaludin then netted the fifth goal in the 69th minute following sustained pressure that forced a defensive blunder. Brunei earned a consolation goal through Muhammad Haziq Naqiuddin Syamra in the 74th minute, but Malaysia swiftly launched a counter-attack and struck again just two minutes later, with Fergus Tierney scoring the sixth goal for the country. Muhammad Haqimi Azim Rosli added Malaysia's seventh goal in the 89th minute, sealing a resounding victory for the national side. The three points not only boosted the spirit of the young squad but also kept their hopes of making it to the semi-finals alive ahead of their final Group A match against Indonesia on July 21 at 8 pm local time (9 pm Malaysian time) - BERNAMA
The Sun
19-07-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Malaysia thrash Brunei 7-1 to revive AFF U-23 semi-final hopes
THE Malaysian Under-23 (U-23) football squad revived their chances of reaching the semi-finals of the AFF U-23 Championship with a 7-1 goal fest against Brunei Darussalam at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium this evening. The strategy by head coach Nafuzi Zain, who made five changes from the starting line-up that lost to the Philippines in the opening match recently, saw the national squad deliver a dominant performance throughout the match. Malaysia opened the scoring as early as the third minute through Muhammad Danish Syamer Tajuddin, before a defensive error by Brunei saw the ball deflected into their own net a minute later, giving Malaysia a 2-0 advantage. Mohammad Haykal Danish Mohd Haizon found the back of the net in the 32nd minute, followed by a strike from Muhammad Haqimi Azim Rosli eight minutes later to give Malaysia a commanding 4-0 lead at halftime. Danish Hakimi Sahaludin then netted the fifth goal in the 69th minute following sustained pressure that forced a defensive blunder. Brunei earned a consolation goal through Muhammad Haziq Naqiuddin Syamra in the 74th minute, but Malaysia swiftly launched a counter-attack and struck again just two minutes later, with Fergus Tierney scoring the sixth goal for the country. Muhammad Haqimi Azim Rosli added Malaysia's seventh goal in the 89th minute, sealing a resounding victory for the national side. The three points not only boosted the spirit of the young squad but also kept their hopes of making it to the semi-finals alive ahead of their final Group A match against Indonesia on July 21 at 8 pm local time (9 pm Malaysian time) - BERNAMA
Zawya
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Morocco: His Majesty (HM) the King Congratulates Sultan of Brunei Darussalam on Birthday
His Majesty King Mohammed VI has sent a message of congratulations to the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, His Majesty Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, on the occasion of his birthday. In this message, His Majesty the King extends His warmest congratulations and sincere wishes for good health and happiness to the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam and his esteemed royal family, as well as for progress and prosperity to his brotherly people, under his wise leadership. The Sovereign takes pride in the brotherly bonds and mutual esteem that unite the two brotherly peoples, as well as in the strong ties of fruitful cooperation and solidarity between their two nations. His Majesty the King also reaffirms His firm resolve to continue working alongside HM Haji Hassanal Bolkiah to further elevate these relations to the highest level, in fulfillment of the shared aspirations of both peoples for greater prosperity and well-being. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kingdom of Morocco - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.
Malay Mail
05-07-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
All must understand horizontal and vertical integration of Asean — Phar Kim Being and Luthfy Hamzah
JULY 5 — As Malaysia's Asean Chairmanship under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reaches its midpoint in 2025, a more rigorous appraisal is necessary. Malaysia's efforts, including championing Timor Leste's entry into Asean and orchestrating the successful Asean-GCC-China Economic Summit from May 23 to 27, have drawn wide praise. But the real question remains: what structural reforms or regional frameworks have been solidified to ensure Asean's strategic direction is not only symbolic, but sustainable? Too often, Asean's Group Chairmanship has been assessed through a ceremonial lens — the number of summits hosted, joint communiqués released, or bilaterals scheduled. These are valid barometers, but insufficient. The more substantive measure should be how well the Chair understands and executes horizontal and vertical integration of Asean's regional architecture. All analysts must apply these metrics too, rather than focus solely on perennial issues such as tensions between Thailand and Cambodia or the South China Sea. These challenges will always be present for Asean and the related summits to address. A more scientific approach lies in understanding the horizontal and vertical integration of Asean. Horizontal expansion: Lessons from the past Since its founding on August 8, 1967, Asean's trajectory has been defined by periodic expansions. Brunei Darussalam joined in 1984, marking the second major phase of Asean's evolution after the original five members: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Brunei, with its stable polity and hydrocarbon wealth, added value to Asean without posing internal or sub-systemic challenges. But the subsequent inclusion of Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam (CMLV) between 1997 and 1999 — often praised as the third horizontal expansion — brought deeper and more enduring complications. Despite the noble intentions of 'One Vision, One Identity, One Community,' the development gap between maritime Southeast Asia and continental Indochina remains unresolved. The Myanmar conundrum alone continues to haunt Asean. Each Group Chair, including Malaysia in 2025, inherits the same headache. The Five-Point Consensus forged in Jakarta during Brunei's 2021 chairmanship remains unfulfilled, especially its first commitment: a cessation of violence. In 2025, the Group Chair, namely Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, has had to employ quiet diplomacy, leveraging Thailand's channels to engage both Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and hold a separate online dialogue with the National Unity Government (NUG) of Myanmar. Though there were indications of the Tatmadaw's willingness to consider a longer ceasefire process, Malaysia was unfairly criticised for 'legitimising' the military junta — a criticism that ignores the humanitarian collapse inside Myanmar, compounded by a devastating earthquake and the rise of cybercriminal syndicates. Indeed, the rise of 'scamdemics' — criminal activities involving fraud, online scams, and forced labour in digital slavery — has become an alarming security and reputational threat to Asean. The United Nations now estimates these cross-border operations generate nearly US$70 billion annually. With operations rooted along the porous frontiers of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and increasingly northern Thailand, these groups have undermined regional tourism and trust. Eighty to ninety per cent of mainland Chinese tourists now shun Thailand, especially Bangkok and Chiang Mai, citing safety concerns — an invisible but potent cost to Asean's brand equity. Another horizontal expansion: PNG? Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto recently suggested at the Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur that Papua New Guinea (PNG) could be embraced into Asean in the future. PNG, after all, has long been an observer of the Asean Regional Forum — a status shared by Timor Leste. This could potentially mark Asean's fourth horizontal expansion, pushing the bloc further into the Pacific. PNG shares land borders with Indonesia's Papua province. However, before enlarging the tent again, Asean must first ensure the house is in order. This is where vertical integration becomes the essential litmus test for a mature and future-ready Asean. Since its founding on August 8, 1967, Asean's trajectory has been defined by periodic expansions. — AFP pic Vertical integration: The real test of Asean Centrality The Asean Charter, adopted in 2008, enshrines the principle of Asean Centrality — the notion that Asean must lead in shaping the region's norms, policies, and institutional interactions. However, the substance of this centrality lies not in speeches or summitry, but in the actual vertical integration of institutions and systems. For example, AseanPOL must evolve beyond annual meetings into a transnational enforcement mechanism. It should resemble INTERPOL in its interoperability, facilitating real-time cooperation among national police forces to counter transnational crimes, human trafficking, cyber fraud, and illegal contraband. The recent surge in digital slavery and trafficking scams has exposed glaring holes in Asean's policing capabilities and inter-agency coordination. Similarly, strategic infrastructure such as the Asean Power Grid and the Trans-Asean Railway Network — both longstanding items on Asean's master plans — cannot succeed without policy alignment and skilled labour mobility. These megaprojects require a liberalised flow of blue- and white-collar workers across Asean borders. But current barriers, including immigration bottlenecks, labour certification issues, and mutual recognition gaps, continue to inhibit such mobility. Moreover, vertical integration demands digital interconnectivity. Asean aspires to be a single digital market, and Malaysia aims to be its AI-driven digital hub. This requires seamless internet backbone connections, cybersecurity protocols, and regulatory harmonisation across the region. In today's Fourth Industrial Revolution, data is power — and Asean must secure and synchronise its digital governance accordingly. Here, Malaysia has a real chance to lead. As Group Chair, it must accelerate Asean's mastery of the six As of the digital age: Artificial Intelligence, Automation, Algorithm, Apps-driven economy, Augmented Reality, and Analysis of Big Data. From blueprint to execution Much of this agenda is already embedded in Asean's various roadmaps: the Asean Master Plan on Connectivity 2010, the Asean 2025: Forging Ahead Together blueprint, and the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Asean 2045. But these plans must now be matched by political will and policy execution. Hosting 330 meetings annually does not guarantee progress. Asean must shift from being a conference community to a community of action. That shift begins with recognising that horizontal expansion without vertical consolidation only deepens the bloc's structural weakness. In contrast, meaningful vertical integration — from security cooperation and human capital development to infrastructure and digital harmonisation — can deliver the 'People-Oriented, People-Centred' Asean that every Chair claims to support. Preparing the ground for future chairs As Malaysia prepares to hand over the Group Chair role to the Philippines in 2026, and then Singapore in 2027, the legacy it leaves matters. If Malaysia's chairmanship is remembered solely for ceremonial milestones or photo opportunities, then Asean has missed another chance for renewal. But if Malaysia can demonstrate that deep institutional reforms and regional integration strategies were seeded and cultivated in 2025, then it would have set a powerful precedent — not just for Asean's future, but for the credibility of Asean's Group Chairmanship itself. Ultimately, Asean cannot afford to remain a loosely integrated bloc held together by communiqués and camaraderie. It must evolve — by design, not by crisis. And that evolution depends on chairmanships that understand the delicate but urgent balance between expanding the bloc horizontally and integrating it vertically. * Phar Kim Beng, PhD, is the Director of the Institute of Internationalisation and Asean Studies (IINTAS) at IIUM, and Lutfy Hamzah is a Senior Research Fellow at IINTAS. ** This is the personal opinion of the writers or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
Malaysia Sun
28-05-2025
- Business
- Malaysia Sun
ADB President Reaffirms Strong Support for Regional Cooperation and Integration at BIMP-EAGA and IMT-GT Summits
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA (28 May 2025) — Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda has reaffirmed ADB's strong commitment to advancing regional cooperation and integration at the 16th Summits of the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) and the Indonesia–Malaysia–Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT). 'The region is navigating the impacts of trade and geopolitical tensions, rapid technological change, and growing threats to food and energy security,' said Mr. Kanda. 'Yet these challenges also present exceptional opportunities to strengthen resilience and drive sustainable economic growth. Our longstanding partnerships will help us turn obstacles into new pathways for progress.' ADB plans to provide an estimated $24 billion in support for Southeast Asia over the next 3 years, with a strong focus on deepening regional cooperation and integration. This includes expanded investments to strengthen connectivity, private sector-led growth, energy integration, and food security. To address food systems vulnerabilities, ADB is increasing financing to $40 billion through 2030. In BIMP-EAGA, known as the "ASEAN's food basket,' ADB has invested $500 million for agricultural development, $93 million for sustainable aquaculture, and $500 million for plastic marine debris reduction. Mr. Kanda announced a forthcoming $400 million loan at the BIMP-EAGA Summit to restore marine ecosystems and strengthen the blue economy in the Philippines. ADB's commitment to energy integration includes readiness to provide $10 billion in financing to accelerate action on the ASEAN Power Grid through cross-border interconnections, national grid expansions, and renewable energy. Aligned with BIMP-EAGA and IMT-GT priorities to enhance connectivity through the private sector, ADB is scaling up private sector financing with a projected four-fold increase to $13 billion annually by 2030. It aims to double its trade and supply chain financing for Southeast Asia to $2.5 billion annually by 2030. In a bilateral meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Mr. Kanda commended Malaysia's leadership in ASEAN, including its role in advancing the ASEAN Power Grid. He expressed interest in deepening cooperation, particularly in private sector mobilization and regional cooperation and integration. He welcomed the renewed Agreement of Cooperation between Malaysia and ADB, and reaffirmed ADB's knowledge support for green city development across 14 cities. In his meeting with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Mr. Kanda noted Thailand's strong focus on private sector development. He welcomed renewed momentum in sovereign lending to the country, which will support transport, health care, and flood management. ADB is a leading multilateral development bank supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and partners to solve complex challenges together, ADB harnesses innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Founded in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—50 from the region.
