26/06/2025

THURSDAY | JUNE 26, 2025

2

Navigating uncertainty requires collective courage, says Sultan Nazrin SINGAPORE: The Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah has emphasised that navigating uncertainty demands not only resilience and reinvention but also collaboration and collective courage. 3rd International Conference on Cohesive Societies (ICCS) at the Raffles City Convention Centre yesterday. neighbour is a value taught by every major religion and philosophy.

governments must work harder to foster inclusion and integration, and to build harmony and understanding between diverse communities, as this is a challenge they cannot afford to ignore. “The consequences of a fractured society are severe.” According to the United Nations, as of last year, the global number of international migrants had almost doubled from 154 million to 304 million compared with 1990, and could hit 1 billion by 2050. ICCS, mooted by former Singapore president Halimah Yacob, is organised by the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies and supported by the Culture, Community and Youth Ministry. It brings together global thought leaders, policymakers, community practitioners and young leaders to exchange ideas, share best practices and develop innovative solutions for cohesive and resilient multicultural societies worldwide. – Bernama KUALA LUMPUR: Japan has lauded Malaysia, the 2024 Asean chair, for its growing leadership in addressing regional security challenges. Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata reiterated Tokyo’s strong support for Malaysia. He highlighted the growing importance of Japan-Malaysia relations, spurred by the elevation of their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last year. Shikata said Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s decision to make Malaysia his first overseas visit in January this year further reflects the importance Tokyo places on Malaysia. The ambassador reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to deepening its defence posture and working closely with Malaysia to safeguard regional peace and security, in line with a rules based international order. “In the face of unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force, particularly in the East and South China Seas, Japan is steadily advancing the fundamental reinforcement of our defence capabilities,” he said at the 71st anniversary of Japan Self-Defence Forces Day held at his official residence on Tuesday. Shikata said Japan’s free and open Indo-Pacific strategy, which aligns with the Asean outlook on the Indo-Pacific, seeks to promote cooperation over conflict by upholding international law. – Bernama Initiative to woo more Indonesian students JAKARTA: Malaysia has embarked on a promotional effort in Jakarta to attract more Indonesian students to further their studies at institutions of higher learning in Malaysia, and in the process, forge stronger people-to-people relations. The MyEduTour: Discovery Malaysia 2025 programme, organised by Education Malaysia Indonesia with Tourism Malaysia Jakarta and the Malaysian Embassy, was held at the embassy grounds. Malaysian Ambassador to Indonesia Datuk Syed Mohamed Hasrin Tengku Hussin said the initiative is part of the country’s soft diplomacy effort featuring five higher education public institutions, five higher education private institutions and a travel agency offering travel packages based around education. “It is hoped that this programme may contribute to closer exchanges between Malaysians and Indonesians and forge stronger societal ties,” he said, adding that some 11,000 Indonesian students are currently enrolled in study programmes in Malaysia. – Bernama Japan expresses strong support for nation

On the principle of imagining boldly, Sultan Nazrin said education must equip individuals to think critically and act ethically, while cities must be designed for inclusion, and policy must be guided by moral imagination. Sultan Nazrin also called on the global community to work together in response to escalating global crises, which would further increase migration. “We must work together to find homes for those who have lost theirs, and try to help alleviate the strain on countries that are overwhelmed. “We must be welcoming to those we can accommodate, and we must strive to tackle the root causes that drive people from their homes in the first place.” He said migration is one of the oldest human responses to uncertainty as people move in search of safety, opportunity and dignity. His Royal Highness said at the national level,

He said rebuilding trust requires investment in media literacy, digital integrity and honest communication, not merely control. “We must reinvest in the social contract. We need transparent institutions, accountable leadership and civic spaces where people feel seen and heard.” Sultan Nazrin said social, economic and ecological justice must be central to policymaking in order to prioritise equity. He also emphasised the importance of embracing pluralism through the respectful accommodation of diverse cultures, religions, identities and origins, as well as social and political perspectives. “It is about recognising human dignity and opportunity in accepting differences, reframing migration and rejecting fear-based politics. Trust in our shared humanity is fundamental.” He added that compassion and love for one’s

He said rebuilding trust, prioritising equity, embracing pluralism and imagining boldly are four guiding principles for navigating uncertainty, which is fuelled by the digital transformation of society, the dynamics of human migration and the uneven economic impacts of globalisation. His Royal Highness said in times of such upheaval, familiar certainties can feel deceptively comforting. “There is a temptation to retreat into narrower circles of identity, to hoard privileges and to romanticise a past that, if we are honest and strip away nostalgia, never was. “But I am confident that the answer to uncertainty is not withdrawal.” Sultan Nazrin was delivering his keynote address titled “Navigating Uncertainty” at the

Malaysia, Kyrgyz Republic expand bilateral cooperation o Agreements signed on tourism, health, higher education, digital transformation and cybersecurity

Strategic Initiatives and the Institute of Strategic and International Studies Malaysia, and between the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia and the Kyrgyz Republic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bernama reported. The visit marks Zhaparov’s maiden official trip to Malaysia since assuming office in January 2021, and reciprocates Anwar’s official visit to the Kyrgyz Republic in May last year. The Kyrgyz Republic was Malaysia’s fourth largest trading partner among Central Asian countries in 2024, with total bilateral trade valued at RM40 million. Malaysia’s main exports to the Kyrgyz Republic included electrical and electronic products, palm oil and palm oil-based agricultural products, machinery, equipment and parts. Its key imports from the Kyrgyz Republic comprised chemicals and chemical products, electrical and electronic products and processed food. Malaysia and the Kyrgyz Republic established diplomatic relations on May 21, 1992, following Kyrgyzstan’s independence after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and the Kyrgyz Republic have taken a significant step forward in strengthening bilateral relations through the signing of a series of MoUs and exchange of notes (EoN) in conjunction with the two-day official visit of President Sadyr Zhaparov to the country. The agreements reflect growing cooperation between both nations in areas such as tourism, health, higher education, digital transformation and cybersecurity. The signing ceremony was held at Seri Perdana yesterday and was witnessed by Zhaparov and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Three MoUs on tourism, digital transformation and cybersecurity as well as trade were exchanged by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Kyrgyz Republic Economy and Commerce Minister

Bakyt Sydykov and Minister of Digital Development and Innovative Technologies Azamat Jamangulov. Mohamad also exchanged two EoNs in the field of training of diplomats and youth, and one letter of intent for a treaty on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters with his counterpart Zheenbek Kulubaev and Kyrgyz Republic Culture, Information and Youth Policy Minister Mirbek Mambetaliev. Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir exchanged an MoU in the field of higher education with Kyrgyz Republic Science, Higher Education and Innovation Minister Baktyiar Orozov, while Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad and his counterpart Erkin Checheibaev exchanged an MoU on health. Two additional MoUs were exchanged between Kyrgyz Republic National Institute for

WORKING VISIT ... Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof being received by Malaysia’s Ambassador to Russia Datuk Cheong Loon Lai on arrival in Moscow yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC