Malaysia and Vietnam vow continued humanitarian aid for Myanmar citizens, says PM Anwar
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the matter was agreed during talks with his Vietnamese counterpart, Pham Minh Chinh, yesterday.
'In this regard, it is important that all parties continue the ceasefire to ensure the safety of humanitarian aid workers,' he said in a Facebook post today.
Weeks after a devastating earthquake struck Myanmar in late March, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) reportedly warned that humanitarian needs remain urgent, particularly in terms of shelter, clean water supply, sanitation and healthcare.
Apart from the issue, the two leaders also discussed the latest developments and Asean joint actions on the trade tariffs imposed by the United States.
'On the issue of trade tariffs imposed by the United States, I informed that Malaysia has sent a representative through the Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) (Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul) in an effort to reach a mutually beneficial solution for both countries.
'As the Asean Chairman, Malaysia requests the consideration of the United States so that Asean member states are given the space to use the mechanism of bilateral relations in reaching a good solution to this reciprocal tariff issue,' he said.
He said Malaysia is committed to continuing to strengthen regional and international relations based on the principles of mutual respect, cooperation, and mutual well-being.
Anwar hopes that all these efforts would yield results that would bring peace, prosperity and harmony to the people throughout the region. — Bernama
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Free Malaysia Today
33 minutes ago
- Free Malaysia Today
PM calls for report on AI-related challenges
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said while AI could help save time, there has been no significant bottom-line impact. (Bernama pic) PUTRAJAYA : Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today lamented that despite billions of ringgit invested in digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI), productivity has remained sluggish and the sector's full potential has yet to be reached. He urged the chief secretary and the heads of government departments to look into the challenges related to AI, especially the AI productive paradox phenomenon. 'I want the chief secretary to the government and heads of departments to get back to me in the next two weeks or month. 'I do not want us to repeat the same mistakes made by mega corporations around the world,' he said at the monthly assembly of the Prime Minister's Department here. He said the productivity paradox, in which increased investments in technology do not necessarily correspond with an increase in measured productivity, had been observed in several reports by multinational consulting firm McKinsey & Co, investment bank JP Morgan, and an experiment in Denmark involving some 5,000 employees. He said while AI could help save time, there had been no significant bottom-line impact. 'In fact, departments which were supposed to go paperless end up being 'paper more',' he quipped. Anwar also warned against the use of AI as a tool to mask weaknesses or prolong corruption. 'The principle (when it comes to AI) is transparency and effectiveness. There's no use spending billions but having nothing to show for it,' he said.

Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Anwar warns against ‘AI Productivity Paradox' in Malaysia's digital transformation
PUTRAJAYA, Aug 18 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today called on government machinery to remain vigilant against the 'AI Productivity Paradox' in the implementation of the country's digital transformation agenda. He said the paradox refers to situations where large investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalisation may not necessarily translate into higher productivity. 'I hope this matter is given special attention by the Digital Ministry, the Communications Ministry and department heads. 'We don't want to fall into what is called 'trough of disillusionment' due to assumptions made on massive allocations for digital transformation and AI programmes, which will reach tens of billions of ringgit over the next five years,' he said. The 'trough of disillusionment' refers to a stage in the adoption cycle of new technology when early high expectations are not met, leading to disappointment, doubts and declining confidence before the technology matures. Anwar, who is also finance minister, urged the Digital Ministry and Communications Ministry to look into data governance as well as integration, IT and AI challenges with a focus on outcomes. He said this when delivering his address at the Prime Minister's Monthly Assembly with staff of the Prime Minister's Department (JPM) here today. — Bernama

Barnama
an hour ago
- Barnama
PM Anwar Cautions Against ‘AI Productivity Paradox' In Digital Transformation
PUTRAJAYA, Aug 18 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today called on government machinery to remain vigilant against the 'AI Productivity Paradox' in the implementation of the country's digital transformation agenda. He said the paradox refers to situations where large investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalisation may not necessarily translate into higher productivity. 'I hope this matter is given special attention by the Digital Ministry, the Communications Ministry and department heads. 'We don't want to fall into what is called 'trough of disillusionment' due to assumptions made on massive allocations for digital transformation and AI programmes, which will reach tens of billions of ringgit over the next five years,' he said. The 'trough of disillusionment' refers to a stage in the adoption cycle of new technology when early high expectations are not met, leading to disappointment, doubts and declining confidence before the technology matures. Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, urged the Digital Ministry and Communications Ministry to look into data governance as well as integration, IT and AI challenges with a focus on outcomes. He said this when delivering his address at the Prime Minister's Monthly Assembly with staff of the Prime Minister's Department (JPM) here today. -- BERNAMA