12/07/2025

SATURDAY | JULY 12, 2025

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Malaysian Paper

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PM meets representatives from six countries and EU

Turkiye may become Asean full dialogue partner KUALA LUMPUR: Asean is considering upgrading its relationship with Turkiye from a sectoral dialogue partner to a full dialogue partner in the near future, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. He said as a sectoral dialogue partner, Turkiye has played a constructive role in various areas, including technology, security, defence and agriculture, as well as offering scholarships to students from Asean member states. He was speaking after chairing a trilateral meeting involving Malaysia, Turkiye and the Asean Secretariat yesterday, that was attended by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Asean secretary-general Dr Kao Kim Hourn. Mohamad said many countries have expressed interest in becoming sectoral or full dialogue partners of Asean. “But we have imposed a moratorium because there are simply too many applications.” Meanwhile, Palestine Planning and International Cooperation Minister Dr Estephan Salameh arrived here yesterday to attend the 4th Ministerial Meeting of the Conference on Cooperation Among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (Ceapad IV). He was received on arrival at the KLIA Bunga Raya Complex by Palestinian Ambassador to Malaysia Walid Abu Ali. Estephan is scheduled to co-chair Ceapad IV alongside Mohamad and Japan Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya. Ceapad IV will focus on capacity-building programmes, the reconstruction of critical infrastructure in Palestine and the effective delivery of comprehensive humanitarian assistance, among others. Current member states of Ceapad are Japan, Palestine, Malaysia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. – Bernama Malaysia to strengthen legal foundation to boost trade KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is boosting regional trade efforts and creating a firm legal foundation for emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said. She said Malaysia continues to liberalise its market through initiatives such as the Johor Singapore Special Economic Zone and strategic partnerships with the European Free Trade Association and China. “Asean has made meaningful progress in eliminating intra-regional tariffs. The next step is to reduce non-tariff barriers and improve regulatory alignment to ensure seamless trade,” she said in her keynote address at the SCG Legal Regional Meeting 2025 Asia and Pacific Rim on Thursday. Azalina said Malaysia is undertaking key legal reforms, including a review of the Contracts Act 1950 and the Sale of Goods Act 1957, alongside the development of a Cross-Border Insolvency Act aligned with United Nations Commission on International Trade Law standards. She added that the government is drafting a comprehensive AI law focused on ethics and governance, with the aim of supporting safe, responsible and competitive innovation. “This initiative reflects Malaysia’s proactive stance in regulating AI to ensure that we keep pace with technological advancement while safeguarding public trust.” The SCG Legal Regional Meeting involves a global network of leading law firms and brings together regional legal and business leaders to address pressing cross-border legal developments and foster strategic collaboration across the Asia-Pacific. – Bernama

“Today’s world faces a complex web of crises that jeopardises global peace, shared prosperity and the well-being of people everywhere.” He cited as examples conflicts, rising power competition, economic fragmentation, rapid technological shifts and transnational security threats. Mohamad was speaking at the 15th EAS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting yesterday. “It is thus critical that we sustain the purpose and objective of the EAS, promote principled engagements and advance common ground on issues of shared concern.” He welcomed the support of participating countries for Malaysia’s priority as Asean chairman in 2025, particularly in fostering strategic trust through diplomacy, goodwill and respect for international law. “With a combined nominal GDP of about US$68 trillion (RM289 trillion), the countries in this hall today account for over half of the global economy.” He added that this economic weight reinforces the strategic importance of EAS not just as a platform for dialogue but also as a driver for cooperation and shared resilience. On the situation in Ukraine and the Middle East, Mohamad said Asean welcomes all peace efforts that are rooted in international law, international humanitarian law and the United Nations Charter. He reiterated Malaysia’s firm stance on the Palestinian issue, calling for an end to the decades-long conflict. “The longest conflict of modern history, rooted in the unjust and illegal occupation of the Palestinian Territory, must be brought to an end. “Eighty years of impunity have emboldened Israel to the extent of openly committing genocide, including through mass starvation, including of babies and children. This is unacceptable. It must not be allowed to continue. It must stop.” PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim held a series of bilateral meetings with senior leaders and representatives from six countries and the European Union yesterday on the sidelines of the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. The meetings, held at the Prime Minister’s Office, involved China, Australia, Pakistan, Turkiye, Palestine, the United Kingdom and the European Union. In his meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Anwar said both sides discussed various aspects of Malaysia-China ties which continue to be strengthened following President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Malaysia in April, during which 31 MoUs and Union on sidelines of Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting o Bilateral talks held with China, Australia, Pakistan, Turkiye, Palestine, United Kingdom and European

investors in the smart manufacturing, digital economy, artificial intelligence and renewable energy sectors. “Australia has also been invited to participate in the Malaysia International Halal Showcase this September, in line with the halal economy’s vast potential as a driver of future cooperation.” Anwar said education remains one of the key pillars of Malaysia-Australia relations, and both countries are expected to sign a new MoU at the Annual Leaders’ Meeting in October. The MoU will cover areas that include Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, Technical and Vocational Education and Training, curriculum development and student exchange programmes, Bernama reported. “I also appreciate Australia’s support in enhancing local vaccine capability through training and research funding amounting to A$500,000 (RM1.4 million).” Anwar added that he looks forward to the official visit of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to Malaysia in October, which is expected to open a new chapter in bilateral relations based on trust, shared values and aspirations for a more peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

agreements were signed. “China has remained Malaysia’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years, with total trade reaching US$106 billion (RM451 billion) in 2024. We also explored efforts to narrow the trade gap and expand cooperation in liquefied natural gas, water, digital economy and green technology sectors,” he said in a statement. Anwar also expressed appreciation for China’s support of Asean’s Five-Point Consensus on the situation in Myanmar, and reiterated the importance of a peaceful resolution to the South China Sea issue in line with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. He said during his meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, both leaders discussed strengthening bilateral relations established since 1957. “I welcome the interest of Australian

EAS more vital than ever amid global crises: Minister KUALA LUMPUR: The East Asia Summit (EAS) remains relevant and more vital than ever amid a turbulent global landscape, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

Mohamad speaking at the 15th East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in conjunction with the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC

The EAS is a leaders-led forum for dialogue and cooperation on broad strategic, political and economic issues of common interest and concern with the aim of promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity in East Asia. It comprises 18 countries, all 10 Asean member states and Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the United States. – Bernama

As the EAS marks its 20th anniversary since its establishment in 2005, Mohamad called on all partners to commit towards ending conflicts worldwide. “Let us mark this 20th year of the East Asia Summit with a pledge to take decisive actions to end all conflicts, and to do so guided by the principles of justice, fairness, equality and humanity.