29/10/2025

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WEDNESDAY | OCT 29, 2025

M’sia spearheads formation of Asean AI Safety Network

Malaysia and New Zealand aim to wrap up FTA review by end of year KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and New Zealand are looking to conclude the review of the Malaysia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (MNZFTA) by the end of this year. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressed their commitment to this goal during a bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits here yesterday. Anwar said during the meeting, New Zealand reaffirmed its commit ment to strengthening cooperation in the halal sector. “Our discussions focused on efforts to enhance bilateral ties across various strategic areas, including trade, invest ment, agriculture, fisheries, halal industry development, education, and renewable energy. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi welcomed New Zealand’s interest in joining the soon-to-be-established Asean Halal Council, underscoring Malaysia’s commitment to streng thening regional collaboration in the global halal industry. Speaking at the Halal Diplomacy event hosted by New Zealand, Ahmad Zahid said, “I am pleased to learn of New Zealand’s interest in joining the Asean Halal Council, a platform that will soon harmonises standards and strengthens global competitiveness.” He said Malaysia and New Zealand have long-standing cooperation in halal assurance, adding that all chicken products produced in New Zealand are halal-certified with full government support. “We are pleased to see our trade associations working closely together. Any halal product from New Zealand is well received by consumers,” he said. Ahmad Zahid also said the halal industry remains a cornerstone of Malaysia-New Zealand cooperation, noting that both nations can further expand opportunities through the Halal Implementation Arrangement (HIA). “We welcome the conclusion of the Halal Implementation Arrange ment, as we are laying the ground work for a system that will streamline certifications (process) and reinforce confidence in the integrity of the halal supply chains. New Zealand has vowed to enhance the export of safe and reliable halal meat products to Malaysia following the exchange of the upgraded HIA with Malaysia. Luxon said New Zealand will also remain a trusted partner for Malaysia by keeping its supply chains open. “(We will) use very transparent rules and resolve issues very quickly when they arise. – Bernama

stall progress. “If it’s possible, wonderful. If it’s not, we need to continue working bilaterally. What we cannot afford is to slow down our trade development,” he said, adding that previous agreements had led to a 30% to 40% increase in trade volumes. Costa noted that the increase is a significant volume for EU and Asean countries and that it is the best way to promote prosperity and shared growth. Moreover, he said, the EU-Asean economic relationship has significant room for expansion, particularly in emerging sectors such as technologies and critical raw materials. According to Asean statistics, the total value of two-way merchandise trade between Asean and the EU reached US$292.57 billion (RM1.22 trillion) in 2024. – Bernama innovation efforts and advance AI safety adoption. Asean AI Safe will be guided by existing regional frameworks such as the Asean Digital Masterplan 2025, the Asean Guide on AI Governance and Ethics, the expanded guide AI governance and ethics for Generative AI, and the Asean Responsible AI Roadmap (2025–2030). It is also directly aligned with future frameworks such as the Asean Digital Masterplan 2030 and the Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement, specifically to foster cooperation in building safe and secure AI systems among Asean member states. Asean AI Safe will take on a collaborative approach, recognising the various stages of maturity across Asean. External collaboration is also key with expected partnerships involving Asean dialogue partners, international organisations, industry leaders and academia for capacity building, knowledge exchange, and research and development initiatives. These efforts to support and enhance Asean institutional readiness in adopting AI safely are envisioned to be supported by a permanent secretariat hosted by Malaysia. Gobind said AI is reshaping the global economy, and Asean must lead in ensuring that progress is guided not only by pursuit of economic gains and innovation but also by strong ethical and safety practices. “The Asean AI Safety Network marks a defining step forward, serving as a platform to translate our shared principles into concrete action.” By championing this initiative, he said, Malaysia is helping the region to strengthen its collective capabilities, advance ethical governance frameworks, and foster a culture of transparency and accountability in the use of AI.

Digital Ministry said it welcomes the adoption of the Declaration on the Establishment of the Asean AI Safety Network at the 47th Asean Leaders Summit in Kuala Lumpur. “As one of Malaysia’s Priority Economic Deliverables, Malaysia’s championing of Asean AI Safe highlights the country’s leadership in setting a regional agenda on AI that balances promotion of AI innovation while safeguarding against emerging risks,” it said. The ministry said the declaration came after a feasibility study and consultation process with Asean member states led by the ministry, through the MYCentre4IR hosted by MyDigital Corporation, following the project’s endorsement at the 5th Asean Digital Ministers’ Meeting, held in Bangkok, Thailand, in January. Once formally operational, Asean AI Safe will serve as a regional mechanism to support the Asean Digital Senior Officials’ Meeting and the Asean Working Group on AI Governance to enhance regional capacity, foster collaboration, pro mote AI safety research and

o Secretariat will be based in Kuala Lumpur and is expected to begin operations in early 2026

Ű BY HAYATUN RAZAK sunbiz@thesundaily.com

(MYCentre4IR) and the World Economic Forum (WEF) at Sasana Kijang here yesterday. Gobind reiterated that Malaysia aims to become an “AI nation” by 2030, in line with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s vision for inclusive, technology-driven growth. “This means we must develop a structure that enables our country to possess and lead in AI technology,” Gobind said. He added that the Digital Ministry’s focus is to strengthen infrastructure, enhance cybersecurity, build public trust and develop local talent to support Malaysia’s AI ambitions. “We are studying aspects such as infrastructure, cybersecurity, public trust and talent development. Building a comprehensive foundation is key for Malaysia to take ownership of its AI future.” In a separate statement, the

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will lead a regional artificial intelligence (AI) safety effort under the Asean AI Safety Network (Asean AI Safe) with the office located in Kuala Lumpur expected to begin operations in early 2026. Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the initiative will bring together all Asean member states to develop common frameworks for artificial intelligence (AI) governance and safety. “The secretariat will be based in Kuala Lumpur and will be responsible for coordinating programmes and organising collaborative activities going forward,” he told reporters at the Powering the Intelligent Age Summit, jointly hosted by the Malaysia Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Gobind and Cathy Li, head of the Centre for AI Excellence and a member of the executive committee at the World Economic Forum during a dialogue at the Powering the Intelligent Age Summit.

EU wants free trade deal, supply chain cooperation with Asean

KUALA LUMPUR: The European Union (EU) is looking to deepen its strategic partnership with Asean by advancing free trade negotiations and strengthening supply chain co operation for stronger economic ties that benefit both regions amid a changing global landscape. European Council President Antonio Costa said the EU views its partnership with Asean as a vital pillar in addressing the current complex global landscape, encompassing political, economic and people-to people dimensions. “On the economic front, we have developed a very important network of trade agreements, where free trade agreements (FTA) have been signed with Vietnam, Singapore and recently Indonesia. “We are now negotiating with

at the same time, to boost it in a shared way. Elaborating on the FTA, he said the EU continues to explore the possibility of a region-to-region FTA with Asean and acknowledged the need for a pragmatic approach, given the varying levels of readiness among member states. “If it’s not possible to do a region to-region agreement, then we negotiate bilateral agreements, as we have already done with three Asean member states. “We are doing the same with Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines, and we hope to conclude these trade agreements as soon as possible,” he said. Costa emphasised that while an Asean-wide trade pact remains an aspiration, the EU would not allow challenges in regional consensus to

Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand,”he said when appearing as a guest on Bernama TV’s The Nation programme yesterday in conjunction with the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits. As for Malaysia, FTA talks began in 2010 but stalled after seven rounds in 2012 due to Malaysia’s reservations over the EU’s palm oil procurement policies, subsidies, and sustainability clauses. However, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that negotiations would resume following Anwar’s working visit to Brussels last year. Costa, who is also the former prime minister of Portugal, believed that improved trade relations were the best way to enhance prosperity and,