26/05/2025

MONDAY | MAY 26, 2025

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multilateralism, 4.7% growth forecast despite global uncertainty o Tengku Zafrul highlights strong exports and while maintaining

Sarawak ramps up role in power grid plans KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak is accelerating its plans to play a key role in the Asean Power Grid, Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg announced yesterday. He said the East Malaysian state has been supplying electricity to West Kalimantan, Indonesia, for the past six years and is currently working towards supplying power to Brunei. “The prime minister has asked me to study the possibility of supplying power from Sarawak to Sabah and to connect to Brunei. “Sarawak will play its part to contribute to the Asean Grid,” he said during the Sustainable Leadership Fireside Chat – Leading Asean’s Sustainable and Digital Frontier event at the Asean Women Economic Summit 2025 held at the Shangri-La Hotel. Abang Johari added that Sarawak is actively upgrading its grid infrastructure to boost power distribution both within the state and across borders. Sarawak has set a target of generating 10 gigawatts (GW) of energy by 2030 and 15GW by 2035. The session was moderated by UOB Malaysia CEO Ng Wei Wei. – Bernama

developing a financing facility framework to support cross-border investment and funding for energy projects. A joint meeting of Asean’s energy, finance and economic ministers is scheduled for August, Bernama reported. Tengku Zafrul chaired the Asean Economic Community Council meeting, attended by ministers and senior officials from all Asean member states and Timor-Leste. Among those present were Investment, Trade and Industry Deputy Minister Liew Chin Tong, Brunei Minister of Finance and Economy II Datuk Awang Mohd Amin Liew Abdullah, Cambodian Minister of Commerce Cham Nimul, Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, Indonesian Trade Minister Budi Santoso and Laos Industry and Commerce Minister Malaithong Kommasith. Other representatives included Trade Undersecretary Allan Gepty (Philippines), Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong (Singapore), Minister of Commerce Pichai Naripthaphan (Thailand) and Deputy Prime Minister Francisco Kalbuadi Lay (Timor-Leste).

bilateral engagement with the US. “Each country will have its position in relation to the US and we welcome the engagements that have taken place bilaterally,” he said. Under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability”, the summit marks Malaysia’s fifth time chairing the bloc, following previous terms in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015. The summit is expected to address a range of key issues, with the crisis in Myanmar remaining a central focus. The summit will also host two major inter-regional platforms – the 2nd Asean Gulf Cooperation Council Summit and the inaugural Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council-China Summit, reflecting deepening ties with strategic partners in the Gulf and China. On regional energy cooperation, Tengku Zafrul said negotiations on an enhanced memorandum of agreement for the Asean Power Grid are expected to conclude with a signing at the Asean energy ministers’ meeting in October . He added that regional economic ministers welcomed progress on

public capital spending by regional larger economies, while projecting inflation at 3%

KUALA LUMPUR: Asean’s collective gross domestic product (GDP) is projected to grow by 4.7% this year, up from 4.2% in 2024, according to Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz. He said the forecast, presented during the 25th Asean Economic Community Council meeting yesterday, also projects regional inflation at 3%. “There was a discussion and presentation by the Asean Secretariat on the economic outlook for 2024 and the 2025 forecast in terms of GDP growth and inflation. “The current expectation is 4.7% GDP growth for 2025 and inflation at about 3%,” he said during a press conference following the conclusion of KUALA LUMPUR: A striking 320m floral tunnel erected at the patio area of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre is more than just decoration, it symbolises Malaysia’s warm welcome to regional leaders attending the summit from today until tomorrow. Asean Central Logistics Secretariat chief Raja Saifful Ridzuwan Raja Kamaruddin said the tunnel has been specially constructed as the primary route for welcoming leaders from Asean member states, the Gulf Cooperation Council and China. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to personally receive each leader in a flower garden set at the midpoint of the tunnel. With the Petronas Twin Towers as a backdrop, the space serves as a symbolic “pit stop” to highlight the arrival of the leaders. “The official arrival of Asean leaders will take place today, with the prime minister extending a formal welcome. (Tomorrow), there will be two further arrivals, in the morning for heads of state and government from the Gulf Cooperation Council and in the afternoon for the Premier of China, particularly in artificial intelligence and quantum computing, as the regional bloc charts a bold path forward under Malaysia’s Chairmanship. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan outlined this focus during his opening remarks at the 36th Asean Coordinating Council Meeting yesterday, ahead of the summit. He said rapid digital developments hold the potential to drive faster economic growth, social progress and greater security throughout

the council meeting held on the sidelines of the 46th Asean Summit yesterday. Tengku Zafrul said the projection exceeds average global growth, driven by strong exports and public capital spending in the region’s larger economies. However, he cautioned that the 4.7% growth outlook is subject to downside risks stemming from external uncertainties.

On tariff negotiations, he said Asean members have reaffirmed their commitment to neutrality and Floral tunnel welcomes leaders for summit meeting

Li Qiang,” he told Bernama. The tunnel, adorned in vibrant red, blue and yellow hues, features a display of flowers reflecting the spirit of unity, harmony and solidarity, values central to Asean cooperation and aligned with the Asean Malaysia 2025 theme of “Inclusivity and Sustainability”. Raja Saifful Ridzuwan added that real hibiscus flowers, Malaysia’s national flower, have been incorporated into the display to symbolise the country’s role as Asean chair this year. He explained that the primary colours – red, blue, white and yellow – were inspired by the Asean logo and represent all member states in the region. “As for the element of sustainability, we drew visual inspiration from the greenery of KLCC Park. These values of inclusivity and sustainability are embedded in the design.” He also revealed that although the tunnel was constructed in just seven days, the overall planning – from initial discussions to final approval – took nearly three months.

The primary colours of red, blue, white and yellow used in the design of the tunnel were inspired by the Asean logo and represent all member states in the region. – BERNAMAPIC

Bloc eyes united future in tech under Malaysia chairmanship KUALA LUMPUR: Asean is set to fully embrace advances in science, technology and innovation, Southeast Asia. “These advances in technology will assist us in our journey, as long as we move forward together as one. stronger in the face of a turbulent world characterised by fragmentation and uncertainty.” membership as well as the status of decisions and commitments made at the previous summit in Vientiane.

“Its adoption marks a significant step forward in Timor-Leste’s integration into Asean’s political and security frameworks,” the ministry stated. The meeting also endorsed guidelines to support Timor-Leste’s accession to Asean legal instruments and agreements. Since obtaining observer status in 2022, Timor-Leste has actively participated in Asean meetings and capacity-building initiatives. Foreign ministers from Asean and Timor-Leste reaffirmed their shared commitment to regional peace, stability and prosperity amid global uncertainty. – Bernama

In a separate statement, Wisma Putra announced that Asean foreign ministers have adopted the draft Addendum to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone, a key milestone in Timor-Leste’s path to full Asean membership. The decision was made during the Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, chaired by Mohamad Hasan. Finalised on April 29, the draft provides the legal framework for Asean member states and Timor-Leste to begin domestic procedures for accession.

Earlier, he described the meeting as a timely platform to reflect on Asean’s progress across its three pillars – the Political-Security Community, Economic Community and Socio Cultural Community. “This is important as we approach the conclusion of Asean 2025: Forging Ahead Together and look ahead to Asean 2045: Our Shared Future,” he said. In preparation for the summit today, the council also reviewed Timor-Leste’s progress in implementing its roadmap to full

“Above all, we must ensure no one is left behind as we prepare the region to face future challenges with resilience and foresight,” he said. Mohamad emphasised that Asean’s ability to remain connected and resilient is vital to its continued relevance and competitiveness. He added that the bloc’s track record proves its capacity to create opportunities when member states act with unity and resolve. “Asean must continue its rally, with purpose and in unity, to emerge