Latest news with #InstituteofStrategicandInternationalStudies
The Star
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Australia announces AUS$1.3bil development fund for Asean to offset USAID cuts
KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has announced a development fund exceeding AUS$1bil for Asean countries to offset the impact of USAID funding cuts. This initiative is part of Australia's commitment to fostering lasting economic prosperity, climate resilience and regional stability and security. "We know that there is uncertainty in development funding and the impact of global cuts is not entirely yet known. But at a time of disruption, Australia is directing an AUS$1.28bil development programme in South-East Asia to meet your highest needs," she said. She was speaking at a special talk organised by Malaysian think tank Institute of Strategic and International Studies (Isis) and the Australian High Commission Malaysia held on the sidelines of the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and related meetings, which are taking place from July 8 to 11. In her speech, she highlighted several humanitarian programmes that will benefit from the funding, including vaccination and HIV/AIDS initiatives in the Philippines, as well as free meal programmes for children and pregnant women in Indonesia, among others. She also announced that Australia has increased the amount of humanitarian assistance to Myanmar and Rohingya refugees – including host country Bangladesh – to AUS$16mil. The Trump administration slashed over 80% of USAID programmes in March, citing it as an effort to reduce "wasteful spending", and has since considered dismantling the agency. The United States was the United Nations' biggest funder, contributing at least 38% of its humanitarian assistance last year. A study published on June 30 in The Lancet estimates that these cuts could lead to an additional 14 million avoidable deaths by 2030, including 4.5 million children under the age of five. Wong reiterated Australia's commitment to remain a strategic partner in Asean and the Indo-Pacific region. "We're not going anywhere," she said. The foreign minister, who was born in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, emphasised the importance of international and regional alliances in addressing shared challenges and building resilience by integrating economies further and improving defence and security cooperation. She also highlighted the importance of respecting the sovereignty, choices, and independence of nations, stressing the value of collective responsibility over military power. "(We) must build the region we want, not just accept the region we face," she said. On Malaysia-Australia relations, Wong said both countries share a common history and face similar challenges, which, when addressed collaboratively, can lead to powerful solutions. "It's not necessarily determinative, but is the world better if middle powers work together in pursuit of those shared objectives? Absolutely it is," she added. Malaysia is the largest source of international students in Australia, while Australia ranks as the fourth-largest tech investor in Malaysia. – Bernama
The Sun
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Australia pledges A$1.28bn aid for ASEAN after USAID cuts
KUALA LUMPUR: Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced a A$1.28 billion development fund for ASEAN countries to mitigate the impact of USAID funding cuts. The initiative aims to strengthen economic resilience, climate adaptation, and regional security. Speaking at a special talk organised by the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia and the Australian High Commission, Wong stressed the urgency of filling the gap left by reduced US aid. 'At a time of disruption, Australia is directing this programme to meet Southeast Asia's highest needs,' she said. The funding will support critical humanitarian efforts, including vaccination drives in the Philippines, free meal programmes for children and pregnant women in Indonesia, and A$16 million in additional aid for Myanmar and Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. The move comes after the Trump administration slashed USAID funding by over 80% in March, a decision that could lead to millions of avoidable deaths by 2030, according to a Lancet study. Wong reaffirmed Australia's long-term commitment to ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific, stating, 'We're not going anywhere.' She emphasised the importance of regional collaboration, sovereignty, and shared responsibility in tackling global challenges. On Malaysia-Australia ties, Wong highlighted strong educational and economic links, with Malaysia being the largest source of international students in Australia and Australia ranking as Malaysia's fourth-largest tech investor. – Bernama
CNA
07-07-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Tariffs, regional turmoils among focus at upcoming ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting
KUALA LUMPUR / SINGAPORE: This week, foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are set to meet for talks and hold discussions with the regional grouping's key dialogue partners. The bloc's 58th Foreign Ministers' Meeting comes at a time of growing pressure to prove its relevance amid global uncertainty and a range of regional challenges. The domestic political situation in Thailand – one of the founding members of the bloc – remains fluid, after a caretaker prime minister was appointed last week alongside a reshuffled cabinet. This followed the suspension of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from duty amid a territorial dispute with fellow ASEAN member Cambodia. Myanmar's long-drawn crisis continues to be a key issue, despite some progress made at the ASEAN Summit in May. 'We are definitely moving the needle forward towards some form of resolution (on Myanmar),' said Dr Mohd Faiz Abdullah, chairman of the Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia. 'That said, (ASEAN members) have … to square out (other) outstanding issues pertaining to so-called hot button cases, like the South China Sea code of conduct and matters that impact the geopolitical configuration.' BOLDER REFORMS On Saturday (Jul 5), Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong called for bolder reforms within ASEAN to reduce trade and investment barriers and link up physical infrastructure. Mr Wong said Singapore fully supports ASEAN chair Malaysia's efforts to push for these reforms. He added the momentum will continue when the Philippines takes over the rotating chairmanship next year, and Singapore the year after. He added that Singapore will work closely with regional and global partners to keep the bloc strong, effective and relevant. Mr Wong reflected on the founding of ASEAN in 1967 – a period also marked by the global turmoil of the Cold War. He said the unity of the founding leaders laid the foundations for stability in the region. "ASEAN has seen conflict before. We were once an arena for proxy wars by the major powers. We do not want that to happen again. Neither can we afford to have disputes divide us,' he added. 'Instead, we must work together to preserve peace and stability; and to keep ASEAN open and inclusive – a region that is not dominated by any single power, but where all the major powers are engaged and invested.' With a population of 700 million people, and as the fifth largest economy in the world, Mr Wong said there is more that ASEAN can do to unlock its full potential, and highlighted the need for closer integration. "Today, ASEAN supply chains already span multiple countries, leveraging our complementary strengths,' he said. 'We must make ASEAN a more seamless and competitive single market – one that attracts businesses and investments looking for alternatives in a more fragmented global economy.' ASEAN & US TARIFFS Such reforms are growing more urgent with United States President Donald Trump's looming tariff deadline on Wednesday, said observers. Mr Trump's second presidential term has reintroduced uncertainty into global trade and raised the stakes for export-reliant economies in the region. 'One of the biggest concerns is that ASEAN's foreign policy should not be allowed to be continually guided and influenced by the … tectonic movements of Trump's outpourings,' said Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia's Dr Faiz. 'So, the first thing that has to be done (when) ASEAN foreign ministers get together (should be to) take a common position, for example, in relation to tariffs.' This week's agenda also includes a ministerial meeting of the Conference on Cooperation Among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD). The conference is led by Malaysia and Japan to accelerate efforts for the reconstruction of war-torn Gaza. Additionally, there is the ASEAN Regional Forum, one of Asia's largest multilateral political and security platforms, which will feature 27 participants, including the 10 ASEAN members and key global partners such as the US, Russia and China. Observers said the forum will likely feature strong rhetoric and calls for regional solidarity even as underlying divisions remain. "They may express their solidarity, and they may use aspirational language that Asia should unite, the intra-regional trade in ASEAN should be further enhanced to insulate ourselves from the turbulence of whatever Washington DC is doing right now,' said Professor Phar Kim Beng, who specialises in ASEAN studies at the International Islamic University Malaysia. The bloc's foreign ministers are also expected to hold separate sessions with ASEAN's key dialogue partners. The meetings will take place in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur from Jul 8 to 11, under the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability'.
![BTH: Tehran vs Tel Aviv, war in the Gulf, SST hikes & gun shooting [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
20-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
BTH: Tehran vs Tel Aviv, war in the Gulf, SST hikes & gun shooting [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: As the Middle East teeters on the brink of broader conflict following direct confrontations between Iran and Israel, Beyond the Headlines unpacks the far-reaching consequences of this escalation. Hosts Amalina Kamal and Hazween Hassan delve into how this geopolitical flashpoint could affect global oil prices, shipping routes, and Malaysia's economic and national security vulnerabilities. Joining the conversation are NST Op-ed and Foreign News Editor Azman Abdul Hamid and Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia analyst Maryam Ismail. The discussion explores whether Malaysia's foreign policy can maintain neutrality, how prepared we are for ripple effects across the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea, and whether ASEAN can offer meaningful diplomatic intervention. Maryam, whose research spans Jewish-Muslim relations and the influence of Islamist movements, offers a nuanced perspective on Malaysia's strategic calculus in engaging with both Iran and Israel. Can Malaysia absorb another global supply shock? Is our national preparedness adequate in the face of a widening regional war? Also in this episode: • Growing concerns over gun violence in Kuala Lumpur, featuring Universiti Malaya criminologist Dr Haezreena Begum. • A sharp look at the looming 8% SST expansion and its potential blow to SMEs, with reaction from SAMENTA chairman Datuk William Ng. More in the latest episode of Beyond the Headlines. Watch on NST Online's YouTube. *This episode was recorded on June 19.
New Straits Times
20-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
BTH: Tehran vs Tel Aviv, war in the Gulf, SST hikes & gun shooting
KUALA LUMPUR: As the Middle East teeters on the brink of broader conflict following direct confrontations between Iran and Israel, Beyond the Headlines unpacks the far-reaching consequences of this escalation. Hosts Amalina Kamal and Hazween Hassan delve into how this geopolitical flashpoint could affect global oil prices, shipping routes, and Malaysia's economic and national security vulnerabilities. Joining the conversation are NST Op-ed and Foreign News Editor Azman Abdul Hamid and Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia analyst Maryam Ismail. The discussion explores whether Malaysia's foreign policy can maintain neutrality, how prepared we are for ripple effects across the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea, and whether ASEAN can offer meaningful diplomatic intervention. Maryam, whose research spans Jewish-Muslim relations and the influence of Islamist movements, offers a nuanced perspective on Malaysia's strategic calculus in engaging with both Iran and Israel. Can Malaysia absorb another global supply shock? Is our national preparedness adequate in the face of a widening regional war? Also in this episode: • Growing concerns over gun violence in Kuala Lumpur, featuring Universiti Malaya criminologist Dr Haezreena Begum. • A sharp look at the looming 8% SST expansion and its potential blow to SMEs, with reaction from SAMENTA chairman Datuk William Ng. More in the latest episode of Beyond the Headlines. Watch on NST Online's YouTube. *This episode was recorded on June 19.
