01/01/2025

WEDNESDAY | JAN 1, 2025

FOLLOW

ON FACEBOOK

2

Malaysian Paper

/thesundaily /

‘Asean advisory team line-up reflects Anwar’s

2024 historic for national reform agenda, says PM

political astuteness’ BANGKOK: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has displayed his political astuteness by appointing former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to his advisory team, according to a veteran Thai journalist specialising in regional affairs. In an opinion piece published in the Bangkok Post recently, Kavi Chongkittavorn said the decision “reflects his (Anwar) understanding of regional traits and dynamics, where former leaders and influential figures can hold sway over multifaceted regional outlooks”. He said several prominent names were reported in the media as prospective members of the team. “The Thai media believes former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen is also in the team. In the future, other former Asean leaders could join the line up.” Titled “Malaysia’s Asean chair with a twist”, Kavi said Anwar’s sudden but strategic appointments are timely as Malaysia prepares to assume the Asean chairmanship. “If Anwar confirms the respective names as part of his team, Malaysia will gain the trust of Beijing, as the bloc tries to chart its diplomatic path in the coming months.” Kavi said Malaysia “wants to ensure that its leading role in Asean, the organisation it helped found, maintains both its relevance and neutrality”. However, he reminded that “various challenging issues await”. He said Asean would witness significant shifts in global geopolitics in the coming weeks, with US President elect Donald Trump playing a pivotal role in shaping international relations. “Anwar recognises this reality and must balance Malaysian and Asean relations with both superpowers and regional players. “Appointing Thaksin, despite his long list of controversies, was secondary to his desire to show deference to Thaksin. It certainly helped turn the visit of his daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra last week (Dec 16) into a memorable trip.” Kavi said the ongoing insurgency in southern Thailand demands attention, as both nations have a shared interest in resolving this longstanding conflict. He said “if Anwar succeeds in these efforts during Malaysia’s Asean chairmanship, he will become a legendary leader in this part of the world”. “These days, any visible effort to promote peace, national reconciliation, racial harmony and freedom of expression would attract nominations for prestigious awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize.”

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has described 2024 as a historic year that served as the prelude and foundation for Malaysia’s national reform agenda. Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said the government initiated transformative efforts throughout the year with clear political will, sincere intentions and meticulous evaluation to ensure that policies implemented benefit the majority of the people. He said the launch of the Madani Economic Framework on July 27, 2023, was a significant milestone that provided a clear direction for re-establishing Malaysia as a leading economy in

nation,” he said. “This is a great honour for the country and an opportunity to create a new chapter in regional and global agendas which continue to face challenges such as the destruction, cruelty, oppression and occupation in Gaza and other critical areas.” He also prayed for blessings in all efforts to develop the nation and successfully lead Asean in 2025. – Bernama operations have been outlined early on to mitigate the adverse impacts of such disasters. Insya-Allah , we will be able to protect more lives and minimise property damage.” He said besides focusing on basic infrastructure such as roads, highways and utilities, the government’s development expenditure would also prioritise flood mitigation projects. Year address, which was broadcast on local television channels yesterday. He said not all government decisions and policies are immediately popular or yield instant results. Anwar also expressed gratitude for this year’s added allocation of RM10 billion for the Rahmah Cash Aid and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah initiatives, the largest amount in history. “Next year, the government plans to increase the allocation for both schemes by RM3 billion, or 30%, bringing the total to RM13 billion. “In addition to increasing annual aid, the government is actively addressing the rising cost of living through the nationwide Payung Rahmah programme, as well as deploying monitoring teams to take action against any party found arbitrarily inflating prices.” Anwar added that unexpected and severe floods must also be addressed wisely, Bernama reported. He gave an assurance that efforts are ongoing in all states to ensure that aid reaches affected communities promptly, while recovery and assistance operations are coordinated by all federal and state government agencies in collaboration with local authorities. “Sustainable preparedness

o ‘Govt initiated transformative efforts with clear political will, sincere intentions and meticulous evaluation to ensure policies implemented benefit people’

the Asian region. “What is more pressing and essential is the Madani Economic Framework offers guidance to leadership and future generations to embed an economic system founded on humanitarian principles, compassion and justice to ensure fairness for every Malaysian citizen.

Madani Economic Framework offers guidance to leadership and future generations to embed an economic system founded on humanitarian principles, says Anwar. – BERNAMAPIC “For example, the targeted diesel subsidy and earlier initiatives on electricity tariffs driven by the Madani government aim to address long-standing leakages from bulk subsidies that benefited the ultra wealthy and foreign nationals – three and a half million people who were not eligible to receive subsidies,” he said in his 2025 New

Significant role for M’sia in 2025 as Asean chair: Premier KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia faces a significant task in 2025 as it shoulders the responsibility of leading Southeast Asia as the Asean chair, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. the principle of striving for excellence by finding ways and methods to achieve excellence and strengthen national unity first.

harness its strengths as one, ensuring that development remains sustainable, taking into account the need to bridge gaps and address issues faced by marginalised, impoverished or sidelined groups. “This is our aim – to ensure that Asean equitably enjoys and shares the prosperity without sidelining any group or region,” he said in his New Year 2025 address. He said to fulfil the responsibility, Malaysians must collectively uphold

“Before we step into the regional and international markets, our country must first be well organised, governance must be enhanced and leakages and corruption must be eradicated. “Only then will we gain the respect of being a sovereign, independent and responsible

He said the complexity of the current global landscape demands that Asean chart new roles and directions with the theme inclusivity and sustainability. “This is a significant responsibility for Malaysia to unite the team and

The whole article can be read at https://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/ opinion/2925877/malaysias-asean-chair with-a-twist. – Bernama Penang chief minister upbeat about investor confidence in state

GEORGE TOWN: Penang has attracted an impressive investment inflow in the industrial sector last year, with approved investments up to the third quarter hitting RM22.6 billion. Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the manufacturing sector

contributed RM12.1 billion while the services sector accounted for RM10.4 billion. “Despite Penang being one of the smallest states, these figures reflect investor confidence in its potential with 364 projects recorded by the Malaysian

Investment Development Authority and an estimated 14,042 new job opportunities created specifically for the people of the state,” he said in his New Year address yesterday. Chow also noted that to date, Penang has recorded an overall

achievement level of 73% under the Penang2030 Vision, which is aimed at creating a “Family-focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation”, with 359 projects successfully completed, nine in progress and five pending. He said that given the state’s

robust economy, his administration would need to work harder to strengthen infrastructure and create an efficient public transport system to ensure smooth mobility, enhance the quality of life and ease traffic congestion. – Bernama