
PM Anwar hosts luncheon for Kosovo President
PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today hosted an official luncheon in honour of visiting Kosovo President Dr Vjosa Osmani Sadriu at the Seri Perdana Complex here.
Osmani and her delegation, who are here for a four-day official visit, arrived at the Prime Minister's official residence at 11.15 am.
A group of 60 students from Sekolah Kebangsaan Putrajaya Presint 8 (3), dressed in their school uniforms, greeted the visiting president with warm smiles while waving the flags of both nations.
Also present was Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek.
Earlier, Osmani was accorded an official welcome at Perdana Putra, followed by a bilateral meeting with Anwar.
The discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of trade, investment, education, and people-to-people exchanges, including Malaysia's Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025.
Malaysia officially recognised Kosovo on October 30, 2008, becoming one of the first countries in Asia to do so. According to Wisma Putra, diplomatic relations were formally established on March 18, 2011.
In 2024, total bilateral trade between Malaysia and Kosovo reached RM28.55 million (US$6.0 million), with Malaysia's exports to the republic valued at RM25.92 million (US$5.5 million) and imports at RM2.63 million (US$550,000).
Key Malaysian exports include palm oil, electrical and electronic products, and manufactured goods, while imports from Kosovo mainly consist of raw materials and semi-precious stones.
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Malay Mail
11 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
From interest to integrity: Rethinking the ethics of investment in Timor-Leste's Asean — Khoo Ying Hooi
JUNE 10 — As Timor-Leste prepares to become Asean's 11th member state by October 2025, the moment is marked not only by celebration but by heightened global attention. The announcement has sparked enthusiasm among investors and development partners. For many, this signals a new chapter; a nation once ravaged by violence now standing as a sovereign, democratic partner within South-east Asia's most prominent regional institution. Yet, beneath this celebratory mood lies the need for reflection, particularly about the kind of economic future Timor-Leste is stepping into and the principles that should guide it. Timor-Leste's entry into Asean is more than ceremonial. It carries implications for regional integration, investment opportunities, and geopolitical engagement. The Asean Economic Community (AEC) opens pathways to trade, capital flows, and partnerships. Already, there is visible momentum. From oil and gas to agriculture and tourism, sectors once seen as remote or underdeveloped are now being reframed as opportunities. The government, for its part, has reformed investment laws, offering fiscal incentives and promoting development zones such as the Special Administrative Region of Oecusse to attract foreign capital. This optimism is both necessary and welcome. As one of the poorest countries in Asia, Timor-Leste needs sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Nearly half of its 1.3 million population still lives below the poverty line, and the country relies heavily on its Petroleum Fund to finance state operations. Diversifying the economy is not merely an ambition; it is a necessity. At the same time, such economic enthusiasm must be tempered with caution. Development is never neutral. The way investments are shaped, who benefits, and how power is distributed all have long-term consequences. Timor-Leste's political system, though democratic, is still evolving. Factionalism among veteran resistance leaders continues to dominate the political landscape, and institutional capacity remains uneven. In this environment, foreign economic interests, however well-intentioned, can unintentionally reinforce elite networks, reduce transparency, or contribute to unequal development outcomes if safeguards are not in place. The controversy surrounding the Tasi Mane petroleum infrastructure project serves as a reminder. Envisioned as a transformative national initiative, it has raised concerns around transparency, feasibility, and environmental impact. Civil society actors, such as La'o Hamutuk, have been vocal in calling for greater accountability and long-term thinking. These debates reflect a maturing public discourse in Timor-Leste, where development is not blindly embraced but interrogated for its social and ecological consequences. Looking beyond the domestic, Timor-Leste's geopolitical location adds another layer of complexity. Situated between Australia and Indonesia, with growing engagement from China and Japan, the country finds itself at a strategic crossroads. Chinese-supported infrastructure projects, including roads, public buildings, and telecommunications, have expanded Dili's physical and digital connectivity. Yet, this has also sparked discussions about influence, debt, and long-term alignment. Similar trends can be observed across Asean, where strategic competition plays out through infrastructure, investment, and technology. A view of Dili, Timor-Leste. Situated between Australia and Indonesia, with growing engagement from China and Japan, the country finds itself at a strategic crossroads. — Unsplash pic/Jaime Gusmao As Timor-Leste integrates further into Asean, these dynamics are expected to intensify. Business decisions will no longer be purely commercial; they will intersect with diplomacy, ideology, and regional positioning. In this light, ethical business is not merely a moral choice but a political and strategic imperative. Companies and states must approach Timor-Leste not as an economic frontier to be 'tapped,' but as a partner in shaping a just and resilient regional future. This is particularly important when considering Timor-Leste's demographics. Over 60 per cent of the population is under the age of 25. For these young citizens, the promise of Asean integration will only be meaningful if it translates into tangible benefits such as quality education, decent employment, accessible healthcare, and opportunities to participate in shaping their country's direction. Investments that fail to consider this human element may appear successful on paper but ultimately fall short in practise. Timor-Leste's cultural and historical context also requires careful consideration. The country's post-colonial identity, shaped by Portuguese heritage and a long struggle for independence, demands development that is grounded in local contexts and culturally sensitive. In sectors such as tourism or agriculture, the commodification of tradition or memory without community ownership can undermine the very dignity and sovereignty that development is meant to uphold. None of this is to suggest that investors or regional partners should stay away. Quite the opposite. Timor-Leste needs and welcomes engagement. But this moment calls for a more thoughtful approach. Ethical investment does not mean avoiding profit or suppressing ambition. It means aligning commercial objectives with values of transparency, inclusion, and sustainability. It means co-designing development projects with local communities, ensuring open and competitive procurement, and supporting institutional capacity so that Timor-Leste can be an equal participant, not merely a recipient. This spirit of shared responsibility resonates with Asean's own vision for the future. Under the Asean Community Vision 2045, member states commit to promoting a people-centred, inclusive, and sustainable regional community. Timor-Leste's membership offers an opportunity to translate these ideals into practise. The country's experience, resilience, youthful population, and vibrant civil society can enrich Asean, just as Asean can support Timor-Leste's aspirations. That support, however, must be more than symbolic. It must include technical assistance for regulatory frameworks, capacity-building for public institutions, and platforms for civil society to engage meaningfully in regional dialogue. Investors and regional stakeholders must also recognise this moment as one that calls for long-term partnerships, rather than quick wins. Timor-Leste stands at a threshold, not only for Asean membership but also for defining the contours of its economic future. This is a moment of immense promise, but it must also be handled with care. The hope is not to discourage investment, but to encourage better investment; investment that listens, shares, and commits to the idea that growth is most sustainable when it is just. As we look ahead to October 2025 and beyond, the challenge is clear. Timor-Leste's admission into Asean must not be reduced to a diplomatic checkbox or an investment trend. It must be embraced as a shared responsibility to build a future that benefits all, from the rural youth in Lautém to the policymaker in Dili. Only then can this moment become more than a milestone; only then can it become a model. * Khoo Ying Hooi, PhD, is an associate professor at Universiti Malaya. ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.


Daily Express
15 minutes ago
- Daily Express
Ispire Malaysia says Johor plant operating above board
Published on: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jun 10, 2025 By: FMT Reporters Text Size: Health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad had said that the Cabinet would decide on the fate of Ispire Malaysia Sdn Bhd's operations in Senai, Johor. (LinkedIn pic) PETALING JAYA: Ispire Malaysia Sdn Bhd today affirmed that its plant in Senai, Johor, which manufactures electronic cigarette devices, is fully compliant with local laws and regulations. In a statement, the firm said it operates under stringent procedures to ensure that all manufacturing activities at its Johor facility are exclusively for export purposes. Advertisement 'To date, Ispire Malaysia exclusively manufactures semi-finished hardware products destined solely for export. 'These products do not contain any nicotine or cannabis – liquid or gel – and thus are not subject to the health ministry's regulations under the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024,' it said. It added that the products manufactured in its Johor facility are not marketed, sold, or distributed within Malaysia and not accessible to local consumers. All finished products are exported to regulated international markets such as the US and UK where they are approved for sale by local regulators, the company said. The firm also said that references cited in recent reports were largely drawn from Ispire's official US website and pertained to its business-to-business sales operations in jurisdictions where cannabis and related products are legal. 'These statements do not accurately reflect the operations of Ispire Malaysia, which strictly adheres to all Malaysian laws and regulatory requirements/frameworks,' it said. Health think tank CodeBlue previously reported that Ispire produces nicotine and cannabis-related vaping products, and that its devices are used by clients to fill cartridges with cannabis oils in global markets. The report cited an investor presentation in Las Vegas in April, published on YouTube on May 6, which stated that Ispire produces 'mainly cannabis-related products' in its Malaysian manufacturing facility, which has up to seven production lines. In a statement last week, the health ministry confirmed that the government had issued Ispire an interim nicotine manufacturing licence to produce e-cigarettes with nicotine in its plant in Johor, together with local council approval. However, CodeBlue noted that the ministry's June 2 statement did not mention the plant's production of cannabis vaporisers, which reportedly began in February 2024. Ispire Malaysia today said that any production of nicotine-based products, if initiated, would be strictly for export and subject to formal approval by all relevant government agencies at both federal and state levels. Yesterday, health minister Dzulkefly Ahmad said that the Cabinet would decide on the fate of Ispire's operations in Malaysia. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia


Daily Express
17 minutes ago
- Daily Express
Open debate signals Malaysia's maturing democracy, says BBC producer
Published on: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jun 10, 2025 By: Minderjeet Kaur, FMT Text Size: BBC's Charlie Taylor has commended Malaysia for its 'maturing democracy', saying a big part of the freedom of speech afforded to Malaysians was in being able to speak truth to power. PETALING JAYA: Malaysia's growing press freedom tells of its maturing democracy, says Charlie Taylor, producer of BBC World Questions, ahead of tonight's first-ever public debate show in the country. Taylor, who has been with BBC for three decades, said the broadcaster has held similar events in Seoul, Tokyo, Cape Town and Lithuania. Advertisement He said Malaysia, the current Asean chair, stands out for its open, on-the-record debate, something not all countries in Southeast Asia permit. 'Not every country in Southeast Asia could do it. They don't all have the freedoms that you have in Malaysia where you can allow a sort of open debate to take part,' he told FMT in an interview. 'I think, having met quite a few Malaysians in the last few days, people are fairly forthright. It's hard to find someone without an opinion,' he added. BBC's World Questions programme, a global extension of the long-running 'Question Time' in the UK, will be recorded before a live audience at 6pm today, at the Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre. He said the forum was about empowering local voices for a global audience. 'My understanding is that freedoms here (in Malaysia) have increased over recent years and testament to that is the fact that we have been welcomed in to do our debate—an open debate,' Taylor told FMT in an interview. 'The prime minister (Anwar Ibrahim) said he wants to see Malaysia as a maturing democracy. That maturing democracy is going on, and a big part of that is freedom of speech and being able to speak truth to power,' he added. Taylor said the format allows the public to pose questions to a panel of prominent political and public figures on national and international issues. The panellists are deputy minister of domestic trade and cost of living Fuziah Salleh, Tricia Yeoh from the University of Nottingham Malaysia's School of Politics and International Relations, Bersatu MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal, a former deputy unity minister, and Vilashini Somiah, head of Universiti Malaya's gender studies programme. The forum will be chaired by veteran BBC journalist, Jonny Diamond. Taylor said the BBC did not come to Malaysia at the government's invitation but selected the country for its regional importance and openness to public discourse. 'No one approached us. We thought it was time,' Taylor said. 'We do 12 editions of this programme a year, and we move it around so we get different perspectives from different places.' Taylor said the programme's main objective was to allow local people to raise their questions on a global platform. 'We want to open a window on Malaysia so people get a deeper insight. 'We don't really decide what the questions are. The audience does,' he said, adding that questions may relate to any topic that may affect the nation, including corruption and tariffs. World Questions has been running since 2015, although it builds on a BBC tradition that dates back 60 to 70 years, he said. Taylor said the country's political and media landscape makes this the right time for such a forum. 'We want to open a window on a fascinating country and we want to hear people discuss their ideas in front of people who have different opinions. 'So we hope to have a difference of opinion, not argument and to listen to other people properly with respect,' he said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia