Jakarta urges Asean to strengthen cross-border cooperation in fight against human trafficking
KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 — Indonesia has called for stronger regional cooperation to tackle the issue of human trafficking, which continues to affect many citizens across Asean member states, its Foreign Minister Sugiono said today.
He noted that many Asean countries are confronting similar threats posed by human trafficking, and emphasised the need for the region to fully utilise all available platforms to ensure a coordinated and effective response.
'I think many countries experience the same problem,' he told reporters after attending the Asean Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting held in conjunction with the 46th Asean Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) here.
Sugiono also stressed the importance of regional confidence in the Asean Community Vision 2045, which Asean leaders are expected to adopt tomorrow, noting that it includes the APSC Strategic Plan 2045.
Bernama previously reported that the APSC Strategic Plan 2045 will serve as a vital compass for Asean's political-security cooperation over the next two decades, firmly anchored in the values of peace, resilience and people-centred growth.
Earlier, the Malaysian Foreign Ministry, in a statement, said that during the 29th APSC Council Meeting – chaired by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan – the foreign ministers of Asean and Timor-Leste exchanged views on recent developments within the Sectoral Bodies under the APSC Pillar and took note of the current implementation rate of the APSC Blueprint 2025, which stands at 99.6 per cent.
'The Blueprint continues to serve as a vital framework for strengthening Asean's political-security architecture, promoting greater cohesion, and building strategic trust across the region,' the statement read.
The 46th Asean Summit and its related meetings, held under Malaysia's Asean 2025 Chairmanship theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', are expected to address a broad range of pressing regional and international issues, including key political and security matters.
This year marks Malaysia's fifth time chairing the regional bloc, following its previous chairmanships in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.
In conjunction with the summit, two pivotal high-level engagements, namely the 2nd Asean-GCC Summit and the inaugural Asean-GCC-China Summit, will also be convened, serving as strategic platforms to advance regional and inter-regional cooperation. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
23 minutes ago
- Malay Mail
Asean leaders to deliberate Pakistan's bid for full dialogue partner status, says Anwar
PUTRAJAYA, June 7 — Pakistan's bid to become a full dialogue partner with Asean will be discussed with leaders of the regional grouping, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. 'It will be brought up for discussion at the Asean leaders' conference,' he told reporters briefly after performing the Aidiladha prayers at the Putra Mosque here today. He said this when asked to comment on Pakistan's renewed efforts to elevate its partnership status with Asean. Yesterday, Pakistan's High Commissioner to Malaysia Syed Ahsan Raza Shah reportedly said that Islamabad is renewing its push to become a full dialogue partner, reflecting the country's commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and deepening engagement with the bloc. Pakistan, which became Asean's first sectoral dialogue partner in 1993, has consistently valued its cooperation with the regional grouping and aims to further expand those ties. In October last year, Anwar was quoted as saying that Malaysia fully supported Pakistan's efforts to become a full dialogue partner of Asean. Meanwhile, when asked about Pakistan welcoming his offer to mediate in the ongoing tension between India and Pakistan, Anwar said Malaysia only hopes for a peaceful resolution. 'I have no role to play, I'm simply offering my opinion,' he said. Earlier, Anwar and his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, performed the Aidiladha prayers alongside nearly 15,000 congregants at the Putra Mosque. Anwar, dressed in a light blue baju Melayu, arrived at 7.50 am and was greeted by Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Dr Zulkifli Hasan. The Prime Minister also joined the congregation reciting the takbir raya before performing the Aidiladha prayers, led by the Grand Imam of the Putra Mosque Dr Muhamad Zakuwa Rodzali. He then listened to the Aidiladha sermon titled 'Korban dan Semangat Kebersamaan', which emphasised the importance of intention, proper conduct, and sincerity in performing the sacrificial ritual. Before departing, Anwar took time to mingle and shake hands with members of the congregation. — Bernama
Borneo Post
25 minutes ago
- Borneo Post
PM Anwar seeks stronger Asean-GCC push to end Gaza atrocities
This picture taken from a position near Israel's southern border with the Gaza Strip shows smoke rising over Gaza on July 9, 2024. – AFP photo PUTRAJAYA (June 7): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for stronger cooperation between Asean countries and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to end Israel's atrocities in Gaza. Speaking to reporters after performing Aidiladha prayers at Masjid Putra here today, Anwar said that regional and international collective efforts are crucial to ending the prolonged conflict and the suffering of the Palestinian people. 'We've conveyed our stance (through a Wisma Putra statement), but this cannot be the effort of just one country. As we saw in recent engagements with Gulf nations, there is a shared consensus. 'So Asean, the Gulf states, and a few other countries can come together to provide a clear message and exert strong pressure on the world to put a stop to it (Israel's brutality),' he said. He was responding to the United States' use of its veto power on a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) draft resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the lifting of restrictions on humanitarian aid. Malaysia has expressed deep regret and disappointment over the repeated failure of the UNSC to adopt a resolution calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, as well as the removal of restrictions on humanitarian aid to Gaza. In a statement last Thursday, the Foreign Ministry stressed that the UNSC's repeated failure to act on one of the worst humanitarian tragedies since World War II, due to the use of veto power, is truly regrettable and deeply disappointing. Anwar also said that the continued actions of countries supplying arms to Israel are unacceptable and run counter to the principles of international law. 'It's contradictory when they issue statements of condemnation, yet continue to supply or sell weapons to Israel. Such actions violate the principles of international law and humanitarian norms. 'We strongly condemn (the atrocities) and seek diplomatic avenues to support the Palestinian struggle and help them reclaim their legitimate rights, including in Gaza,' Anwar said. Separately, during Aidiladha phone conversations with leaders of other Muslim nations, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Shari, Anwar said each expressed concern over the violence committed by the Zionist regime. 'All of them conveyed a clear stance … and we have agreed to continue consultations to find a resolution to this crisis as soon as possible,' he added. – Bernama anwar ibrahim asean Gaza GCC palestine
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Pakistan's Asean dialogue partner bid to be discussed with regional leaders, says Anwar
PUTRAJAYA: Pakistan's bid to become a full dialogue partner with Asean will be discussed with leaders of the regional grouping, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. "It will be brought up for discussion at the Asean leaders' conference,' he told reporters briefly after performing the Aidiladha prayers at the Putra Mosque here Saturday (June 7). He said this when asked to comment on Pakistan's renewed efforts to elevate its partnership status with Asean. Yesterday, Pakistan's High Commissioner to Malaysia Syed Ahsan Raza Shah reportedly said that Islamabad is renewing its push to become a full dialogue partner, reflecting the country's commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and deepening engagement with the bloc. Pakistan, which became Asean's first sectoral dialogue partner in 1993, has consistently valued its cooperation with the regional grouping and aims to further expand those ties. In October last year, Anwar was quoted as saying that Malaysia fully supported Pakistan's efforts to become a full dialogue partner of Asean. Meanwhile, when asked about Pakistan welcoming his offer to mediate in the ongoing tension between India and Pakistan, Anwar said Malaysia only hopes for a peaceful resolution. "I have no role to play, I'm simply offering my opinion,' he said. Earlier, Anwar and his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, performed the Aidiladha prayers alongside nearly 15,000 congregants at the Putra Mosque. Anwar, dressed in a light blue baju Melayu, arrived at 7.50am and was greeted by Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Dr Zulkifli Hasan. The Prime Minister also joined the congregation reciting the takbir raya before performing the Aidiladha prayers, led by the Grand Imam of the Putra Mosque Dr Muhamad Zakuwa Rodzali. He then listened to the Aidiladha sermon titled 'Korban dan Semangat Kebersamaan', which emphasised the importance of intention, proper conduct, and sincerity in performing the sacrificial ritual. Before departing, Anwar took time to mingle and shake hands with members of the congregation. - Bernama
