26/05/2025

MONDAY | MAY 26, 2025

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Support for Timor-Leste full membership in Asean

Presence of banks reflects confidence KUALA LUMPUR: The presence of four major Malaysian banks in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) reflects strong investor confidence in the country’s political stability and business friendly policies, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim credited Laos’ sound financial governance, particularly its central bank’s management of financial institutions, for fostering an attractive investment environment. Speaking at a joint press conference after meeting with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, who is on an official visit to Malaysia, Anwar said the four Malaysian banks operating in Laos are Malayan Banking Bhd, RHB Bank Bhd, CIMB Group and Public Bank Bhd. “Their presence will certainly encourage more Malaysian companies to invest in Laos, Cambodia and Thailand,” he said. The two leaders also discussed cooperation in training across multiple sectors, including port management. Anwar said Penang Port, along with Port Klang and the Port of Tanjung Pelepas, are ready to support deeper collaboration through training programmes and knowledge-sharing initiatives. Other key topics included labour, digital technology, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and alternative energy, particularly rare earths. Both governments also welcomed progress on the memorandum of collaboration between Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd, Lao National Railway State Enterprise and State Railway of Thailand aimed at realising the Asean Express train. The project is expected to drastically cut travel times across Asean countries and into China. Anwar added that he and Sonexay would attend the upcoming Asean meetings, followed by engagements with representatives from the Gulf Cooperation Council, as well as a bilateral session with Chinese Premier Li Qiang. – Bernama Singapore praises PM over Myanmar issue SINGAPORE: Singapore Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan has commended Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for rallying Asean on the Myanmar issue and maintaining direct lines of communication with key stakeholders in the country. “I commend Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for rallying Asean and maintaining direct lines to both the State Administration Council (SAC) and National Unity Government (NUG),” he posted on Facebook on Saturday. In April, Anwar held separate dialogues with leaders of the SAC and NUG, which marked a significant step towards fostering direct engagement between conflicting parties. Balakrishnan also said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa had recently visited Naypyidaw and held useful discussions. “At today’s informal consultation among Asean foreign ministers, we reaffirmed the urgent need to fully implement the Five-Point Consensus – the paramount framework agreed to at the leaders level, to achieve lasting peace and reconciliation in Myanmar,” he added. Balakrishnan said more than four years after the coup, the situation in Myanmar remains dire and the suffering of the people has been compounded by the tragic earthquake. The minister noted that Singapore has deployed teams and contributed humanitarian aid, and is ready to do more. “But humanitarian action must be matched by political will. “And tragedy can sometimes open the door to unity and peace,” Balakrishnan added. – Bernama

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and Laos have reiterated their strong support for Timor-Leste’s full Asean membership, and called for intensified, inclusive efforts to address Myanmar’s prolonged crisis. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said both countries agreed that it was time to finalise Timor-Leste’s accession process ( see also Page 3 ). “We also discussed the accession of Timor-Leste, hopefully by October this year if we can retain a consensus in this meeting tomorrow (today), particularly during the following retreat,” he said in a joint press conference with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone at the Perdana Putra Complex o Malaysia, Laos agree time to finalise accession process if consensus retained at meeting, says Anwar

Siphandone’s first visit to Malaysia since being elected as the Lao prime minister in December 2022. The visit, ahead of the 46th Asean Summit, the second Asean-GCC Summit and the Asean-GCC-China Summit today and tomorrow in Kuala Lumpur, underscores the strong and enduring ties between Malaysia and Laos, Bernama reported. The 46th Asean Summit is being held under Malaysia’s 2025 chairmanship theme, “Inclusivity and Sustainability”. It also marks Malaysia’s fifth time chairing the regional bloc since its previous chairmanships in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015. In 2024, total bilateral trade between Malaysia and Laos reached RM99.7 million, with Malaysia’s exports valued at RM67.8 million and imports totalling RM31.9 million. Malaysia is the 5th largest foreign investor in Laos, with total investments worth US$942 million (RM3.9 billion) across 46 registered projects, focusing on sectors such as renewable energy, transport and logistics, telecommunication, construction, banking and hotel services.

here yesterday. Earlier, Anwar and Siphandone witnessed the exchange of a memorandum of cooperation between Penang Port Sdn Bhd and Thanaleng Dry Port. The exchange was represented by MMC Port Holdings Sdn Bhd CEO Datuk Azman Shah Mohd Yusof and PTL Holding Co Ltd CEO Chanthone Sitthixay. On the situation in Myanmar, Anwar said the matter was also raised during his discussion with Siphandone. “We discussed the need to continue humanitarian assistance, and also the need for all parties in Myanmar to respect the need for peace, immediate ceasefire, and try to work through the Asean mechanism and understanding, using the five-point consensus among Asean countries,” he said. Siphandone arrived in Malaysia yesterday to begin his first official visit ahead of the 46th Asean Summit and Related Meetings in Kuala Lumpur. He was accorded an official welcoming ceremony by the prime minister at the Perdana Putra Complex, followed by a bilateral meeting. Wisma Putra, in a statement, said this is

Anwar shaking hands with Siphandone at the meeting. – BERNAMAPIC

‘Moral responsibility to speak up on global injustices’ KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has called on Asean to speak firmly and collectively in defence of international law, citing the crises in Gaza and Myanmar as tests of the bloc’s moral responsibility. is causing mass starvation and deaths. “The atrocities committed against the Palestinian people continue to reflect indifference and double standards. They are a direct result of the erosion of the sanctity of international law. demonstrates its core values of compassion, unity and humanitarian spirit that have defined the bloc since its inception, and affirms the region’s steadfast commitment to standing by Myanmar during this period of crisis.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan underscored that Asean must not remain on the sidelines in the face of global injustices, stressing the bloc’s responsibility to leverage its voice on the international stage to defend the oppressed and promote solutions anchored in international law and universal principles. Mohamad emphasised the need for Asean to reflect deeply to play a meaningful and proactive role in shaping global progress, including by taking a united and firm stance on critical issues such as peace, justice, equality, human rights and the rule of law. “The total siege of Gaza by the Israeli forces

“We call on the stakeholders in Myanmar to cease hostilities and to extend and expand the ceasefire, to facilitate the long and difficult path towards recovery and ease the suffering of the people of Myanmar. “This tragedy has reminded us that crises do not recognise borders. “Natural disasters are much like the global challenges that demand collective resolve and solidarity.” He said the same spirit must now guide the bloc as it confronts the challenges within and beyond the region, as well as the uncertainties of the present and of the future. – Bernama

“Asean cannot remain silent. We have a voice in world affairs, and we must use our voice to speak up for the oppressed, and offer solutions grounded in principles and international law,” he said during the opening remarks at Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre yesterday. At the regional level, Mohamad said Asean has asserted and demonstrated its proactiveness during crises, including taking a swift and immediate action following the tragic earthquake that struck parts of Myanmar and Thailand. He said Asean’s swift response