16/05/2025

FRIDAY | MAY 16, 2025

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Anwar engages Putin on MH17 conclusion

Extend rail link to Sungai Golok: Thai ambassador KUALA LUMPUR: Thai ambassador to Malaysia Lada Phumas has suggested that Malaysia’s East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, which starts in Kota Bharu, be extended to the Sungai Golok border to enhance rail connectivity between Thailand and Malaysia. She said the connection at the border is crucial for improving trade and logistics between the two countries. “We have a rail station in Sungai Golok for which we must now explore ways to revitalise and utilise so that the ECRL can be extended and connected to the rail network on Thailand’s side. From there, it could be connected to Hatyai – the neighbouring border town of Padang Besar on Malaysia’s side, which could facilitate better logistical integration and enhance regional rail connectivity.” The ambassador said interconnecting rail systems across the region, linking Singapore, Malaysia, Laos and China, with the potential for further extensions, will strengthen regional ties. She said the Pan-Asia Railway Network project is a key infrastructure initiative, connecting China, Singapore and all countries in mainland Southeast Asia. Malaysia is actively developing its segment of the network, which aims to establish a continuous double track railway from Johor Bahru to Padang Besar in Perlis. Phumas said such interconnection would promote trade, enhance mobility and deliver substantial economic benefits for both countries. “Improved rail connectivity would provide a more affordable and efficient alternative for freight transport, compared with air and road options.” Phumas also said there are opportunities for collaboration between Malaysia and Thailand in the halal industry and related supply chains. “Thailand can supply ingredients and raw materials that Malaysia may be lacking, while Malaysia can leverage its expertise in halal certification to strengthen and expand the halal supply chain. “The collaboration could prove mutually beneficial and open up significant opportunities in markets, particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.” – Bernama Sultan Sharafuddin further urged companies operating lorries, buses and heavy vehicles to conduct strict evaluations when selecting drivers and assistants, and reminded all parties not to take lightly matters that could lead to negligence such as vehicle condition and driver qualifications. – Bernama Stricter heavy vehicle rules: S’gor Sultan SHAH ALAM: The Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah has urged the government to take serious heed of road accidents, particularly those involving heavy vehicles. In a post on the Selangor Royal Office Facebook page, His Royal Highness said in view of the increasing number of accidents and similar tragedies, firmer and more immediate action must be taken by the authorities to address the matter. The Ruler expressed that if any party is found guilty and responsible for fatal accidents or causing serious injuries, the drivers and company owners of heavy vehicles involved should not only be fined or imprisoned, but also have their driving licences revoked. He said such action would serve as a lesson to other drivers to be more cautious and to give undivided attention while driving. In the same post, the monarch and Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor Tengku Hajah Norashikin conveyed their condolences to the families of the nine Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) personnel who perished in the horrific accident in Teluk Intan, Perak, on Tuesday. Their Royal Highnesses also expressed sadness and sorrow over the heartbreaking tragedy that befell the victims. In the 8.15am incident on Tuesday, nine FRU personnel were killed and eight others injured after the truck they were travelling in collided with a lorry carrying gravel at the junction of Jalan Chikus-Sungai Lampam, Teluk Intan.

MOSCOW: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim raised the matter of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, which was shot down over Ukraine in 2014, during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He said it was brought up during his bilateral discussions with the Russian president at the Kremlin on Wednesday, to represent the families of the victims affected by the tragedy. “As a representative of the Malaysian people, particularly the families of the victims, I took the opportunity to raise the matter with President Vladimir Putin during our bilateral discussions,” he told Malaysian media o Russia expresses willingness to cooperate with any investigation deemed independent, says prime minister following meeting with Russian president

willing to fully cooperate to ensure the report’s credibility. Anwar said he would inform the victims’ families about the feedback from Putin. “What I can confirm is that he said it is not true that he is not willing to cooperate. But he is unable to cooperate with any body that he considers, or Russia considers, as not independent.” On Monday, ICAO, a United Nations aviation council, concluded that Russia was responsible for the incident in which the Malaysian aircraft was shot down over Ukrainian airspace, killing all 298 passengers and crew members on board. The report stated that ICAO would consider appropriate forms of compensation in the coming weeks. In November 2022, a Dutch court convicted two Russian nationals and a Ukrainian national in absentia for their roles in the attack. Anwar arrived in Moscow on May 13 for a four-day official visit. He proceeded with the second leg of his visit to Kazan, Tatarstan yesterday. The official visit is at the invitation of Putin. Both leaders held a closed-door meeting before Anwar, who is also finance minister, attended a luncheon and held a meeting with delegations from both countries.

covering his official visit to Russia on Wednesday night. Anwar was asked to comment on the recent developments concerning the findings of the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO), which concluded that Russia was responsible for the downing of flight MH17. According to the ICAO report, the aircraft was en route from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, to Kuala Lumpur when it was shot down by a Russian missile while flying over eastern Ukraine, amid conflict between pro-Russian separatist groups and Ukrainian forces, Bernama reported. The prime minister said Putin listened carefully to the concerns raised and conveyed his sympathy and condolences to the victims’ families. “That, he (Putin) has never wavered from,” said Anwar, adding that Putin had emphasised his call for a thorough, comprehensive and non-politicised investigation. Anwar, however, noted that he highlighted the latest report by ICAO, which concluded that Russia was responsible for shooting down the aircraft. Putin reiterated that from the beginning, Moscow had requested an independent and detailed investigation, and that Russia was

DEEP DISCUSSION ...The two leaders at the Kremlin. Anwar said Putin listened carefully to the concerns raised and conveyed his sympathy and condolences to the victims’ families. – PIC COURTESY OF PMO

‘ Russia-M’sia ties growing, focus on deeper cooperation’ KUALA LUMPUR: Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia-Malaysia relations are strengthening, reaffirming both countries’ commitment to deepening meaningful and productive cooperation. Russia, reported Bernama. He added that both countries have all the necessary prerequisites to further enhance this partnership. universities are being recognised by Malaysian employers without any additional accreditation.”

On BRICS (intergovernmental organisation comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates), Putin said under Russia’s presidency, a new “country partner” category was established, and Malaysia was among the nations invited to participate in BRICS activities in this capacity. “We are glad that our Malaysian friends have accepted this invitation, and we will do everything in our power to ensure Malaysia joins the work of all BRICS partner mechanisms swiftly,” he added. On Wednesday, Anwar was accorded an official welcome at the Kremlin, the official working residence of Putin, underscoring a pivotal moment in strengthening diplomatic ties between Malaysia and Russia. In 2024, Russia was Malaysia’s ninth-largest trading partner among European countries, with total trade reaching RM11.46 billion (US$2.48 billion).

On his discussion with Anwar, Putin said given Malaysia’s current chairmanship of Asean, the talks touched on prospects for further developing substantive dialogue between the international association and Russia. “We spoke in detail about issues concerning the peaceful and sustainable development of the Asia-Pacific region,” the president said. In the cultural and humanitarian sphere, Putin said both countries regularly hold film festivals, photo exhibitions and musical concerts. He said there are around 700 Malaysian citizens now studying in Russia through the quotas of the Russian Federation government between the universities of both countries. “Russia and Malaysia have more than 80 agreements on scientific, educational and academic exchange. The diplomas of Russian

He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s four-day official visit, from May 13 to 16, clearly demonstrates that bilateral ties are developing successfully and progressively, with both expressing strong interest in making their cooperation more substantive and transparent. During their meeting, Putin said he and Anwar discussed a spectrum of relevant issues concerning bilateral interaction, as well as pressing matters on the international agenda. Both leaders, he added, identified specific plans to strengthen Russian-Malaysian cooperation in the future. “Russia and Malaysia have a long tradition of friendship and mutual understanding. We have always strived to work in partnership, building on the principles of mutual respect and mutual understanding,” he said during a joint press conference with Anwar in Moscow,