23/12/2025

TUESDAY | DEC 23, 2025

3 Asean presses for peaceful resolution of border tensions

Courage of M’sian volunteers symbolises bravery, collective spirit: PM KUALA LUMPUR: The courage of Malaysian humanitarian volunteers championing the plight of Palestinians in Gaza has become a symbol of the nation’s steadfast commitment to universal humanitarian principles on the international stage. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said as major world powers remained silent and penalised those who spoke out against the atrocities of the Zionist regime, Malaysia openly supported the Global Sumud Flotilla’s humanitarian mission to Gaza. “When the flotilla was attacked by Israel forces on Oct 2 and the humanitarian volunteers, including 23 Malaysians, were detained, we acted swiftly without delay. “Every moment was used to devise strategies, mobilise diplomatic channels and ensure their safety as the nation’s absolute priority,” he posted on Facebook. He said high-level negotiations with Turkiye, Egypt, Jordan and the United States led to the safe release of all Malaysian volunteers, who returned home on Oct 7, bringing relief and joy to Malaysians closely following the developments. “Their bravery in crossing the seas and their steadfast resolve in defending our brothers and sisters in Palestine, despite being treated harshly in Israeli detention, reflect the strength of Malaysia’s solidarity. “May this courage continue to burn brightly and guide us to stand firmly with Gaza until justice is upheld on the soil of a free Palestine,” he said. The Global Sumud Flotilla aid mission, involving more than 500 activists from 44 countries, including Malaysia, began its voyage to Gaza in late August and early September as a show of solidarity and an effort to break Israel’s blockade by delivering essential supplies. However, the flotilla was

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

o Foreign ministers emphasise dialogue, urge Cambodia and Thailand to exercise restraint and avoid further escalation

Committee (GBC) meeting on Aug 7 and the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration signed on Oct 26, urging full implementation. Mohamad stressed the need to allow displaced civilians to return home safely and with dignity. “Asean underscores the importance of ensuring displaced communities can resume their lives without obstruction and in safety.” The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes, respect for international boundaries and adherence to international law, in line with the UN Charter, Asean Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. They welcomed discussions on resuming the ceasefire, noting that the GBC is scheduled to meet tomorrow to discuss its implementation and verification, expressing hope for swift de escalation. Meanwhile, it was reported that Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow urged caution on ceasefire declarations, saying any agreement must be “workable and sustainable”. “The earlier the better but sometimes we really need to sit down and thrash things out so that what we agree on will really hold and be respected,” he told reporters after the meeting. Sihasak raised concerns over alleged ceasefire violations, including newly planted landmines confirmed by the AOT and noted that Bangkok had yet to receive an acceptance of responsibility from the Cambodian side. He added that a ceasefire must be backed by a detailed plan covering heavy weapons withdrawal, humanitarian demining, transnational crime prevention and border management. “On Thailand’s side, we are approaching this in a very constructive way and want a true ceasefire.” living paycheque to paycheque and more than 80% receiving some form of government financial assistance, this points to weak disposable income,” he said, adding that Malaysia must diversify its trading partners. He further cautioned that Malaysia should not lose sight of its policy of active neutrality, Asean centrality and the World Trade Organisation’s consistent non-discrimination stance, warning that the ART could place the country in a bilateral alignment that contradicts its neutral position. “Clause 7.3 of the agreement should be invoked without delay and structured negotiations undertaken to realign this agreement with Malaysia’s sovereign and developmental priorities.” Rais added that agreements of this magnitude require rigorous legal scrutiny, economic impact assessments and parliamentary oversight.

PETALING JAYA: Asean foreign ministers yesterday urged Cambodia and Thailand to exercise maximum restraint and immediately halt hostilities along their shared border, amid rising civilian casualties, infrastructure damage and community displacement on both sides. The call came during a Special Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, convened to address the escalating tensions following a decision earlier this month by the prime ministers of Malaysia, Cambodia and Thailand. Reading the Asean Chair’s statement after the meeting, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the bloc remained “seriously concerned” and

He also said the ministers welcomed the willingness of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to continue engaging with Asean to ease tensions. Asean also acknowledged the proactive involvement of external partners, including the United States and China, in supporting a peaceful resolution, he added. The meeting recalled previous commitments, including the July 28 ceasefire, decisions from the extraordinary General Border

reaffirmed its commitment to regional peace and stability. “Asean urges both Cambodia and Thailand to exercise maximum restraint, cease all forms of hostilities immediately and return to dialogue in order to prevent further escalation,” Mohamad said at a press conference. He highlighted diplomatic efforts by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in his capacity as Asean Chair, to encourage both sides to end hostilities and get updates from the Asean Observer Team (AOT) deployed along the border.

Asean foreign ministers stand in solidarity, reaffirming commitment to regional peace and stability at the Special Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. – BERNAMAPIC intercepted by Israeli forces in a restricted zone of the Mediterranean Sea on Oct 2, with all volunteers forcibly taken to the Port of Ashdod. – Bernama Renegotiating US trade pact may hurt Malaysia, warns economist

Ű BY T.C. KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

more than 2,000 tariff lines relevant to bilateral trade were zero-rated or abolished by both sides. This reduced Malaysia’s effective exposure to US tariffs to just 4.6%. “This is one of the best exemption performances in Asean,” he told theSun. He added that Malaysia also reduced tariffs on 6,911 products under the agreement, improving the overall tariff regime for both countries. Williams said renegotiating the ART signals a return to “protectionist policies”. “This does not help Malaysian businesses or consumers. It helps only vested interests,” he said, adding that such a move could discourage trade and foreign direct investment. He also questioned the emphasis on small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in discussions surrounding the ART, arguing that SMEs are largely

He said agreements already signed could not be reversed, but provisions deemed inequitable could be identified for renegotiation. In contrast, Emir Research president and CEO Datuk Dr Rais Hussin Mohamed Ariff supports a review of the ART, arguing that the agreement “extends beyond conventional tariff facilitation” into wider policy domains. “The agreement, while framed as reciprocal, reaches deeply into Malaysia’s regulatory, fiscal, digital, industrial and security architecture. The small gain in tariff of about 6% does not commensurate with what we have to let go.” Rais also pointed out that the US market accounts for only about 4.2% of the global market, referring to its population of roughly 348 million compared with an estimated global population of 8.2 billion. “With about 60% of its population

domestically focused due to the nature of their products and services. “Furthermore, SME development falls under other ministries, not Miti, so this would be a duplication of effort,” he said. Malaysia’s total trade nearly doubled from RM1.2 trillion in 2015 to RM2.2 trillion in 2024. However, SME contribution to GDP rose only marginally over the same period, from 37% to 39%. Newly appointed Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said Malaysia may want to review its trade agreements with the United States and renegotiate any terms found to be unfair. In his inaugural speech at the ministry on Dec 17, Johari cited uneven economic indicators, particularly those involving SMEs, as a reason for reassessing trade arrangements.

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s exposure to United States tariffs under the Malaysia–United States Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) has already been substantially reduced, making a review or renegotiation unnecessary, said an economist, even as others argue that the pact compromises broader national policy interests. Dr Geoffrey Williams said Malaysia secured significant tariff exemptions under the agreement and reopening negotiations could imply that the original talks were poorly handled by the then Investment, Trade and Industry minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz. Citing data from CGS International Securities Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Williams said 62.8% of Malaysian exports to the US were exempted from tariffs when measured by actual export value, after