MAHB ready to welcome delegations for 46th Asean summit
SEPANG: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB), the country's airport operator, is actively finalising preparations to welcome the ASEAN delegations attending the 46th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).
MAHB Managing Director Datuk Mohd Izani Ghani said among the major preparations being carried out are the enhancement of facilities and protocols at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, as well as several other airports nationwide that will be involved in receiving distinguished guests from ASEAN countries.
'The key initiatives include upgrading the VIP Room and Bunga Raya Complex at KLIA, providing dedicated immigration lanes and exclusive reception counters, and coordinating the arrival of delegations travelling on commercial flights in a more organised and seamless manner.
'Additionally, promotional materials for ASEAN 2025 have started appearing across various platforms, including the Flight Information Display System (FIDS), KLIATV, and official social media channels,' he told Bernama.
As part of efforts to promote Malaysia on the international stage, Mohd Izani said MAHB is also stepping up initiatives to showcase the country's rich arts, culture, and heritage across its airports.
This includes the introduction of a 'Heritage Lane', featuring displays of photographs showcasing the country's historic building structures, traditional business premises such as nasi kandar stalls and old-school barber shops, exhibitions of traditional Baba and Nyonya attire, as well as cultural performances including traditional dances at several airport terminals.
Specifically for the ASEAN delegations, he said the Bunga Raya Complex and VIP waiting areas at several airports have also been redecorated with elements that reflect Malaysia's unique identity, culture, and traditions, creating a welcoming atmosphere that embodies national pride and respect for the delegates.
'As the airport operator responsible for managing the country's main gateways, MAHB consistently undertakes initiatives to showcase Malaysia's arts, culture and heritage at our airports, not only for receiving the ASEAN delegations but also as an early effort leading up to the 2026 Visit Malaysia Year 2026,' he said.
He said MAHB remains committed to ensuring all aspects of the welcoming process and movements of the ASEAN delegations are conducted smoothly, with dignity and prestige, thereby strengthening Malaysia's image on the international stage.
Apart from that, Mohd Izani said security aspects were also given priority through close collaboration with the Royal Malaysia Police to guarantee the safe and seamless movement of the delegations throughout the event.
He said MAHB has also been working closely with the Foreign Ministry, the Ceremonial and International Conference Secretariat Division (BIUPA), and other government agencies since last year to ensure that airports in the country are fully prepared to welcome the arrival of delegations from various ASEAN nations.
Meanwhile, a Bernama survey found that the route from KLIA to the capital's city centre is now lively with vibrant decoration, including banners and billboards carrying ASEAN-themed messages to greet the leaders and delegations arriving for ASEAN 2025.
The decorations, which have been installed along key routes such as the KLIA Expressway, MEX Expressway, Sungai Besi Expressway and areas around the government administration complex in Putrajaya, not only enhance the festive atmosphere but also offer a warm visual welcome, reflecting Malaysia's role as host nation.
Banners featuring the official ASEAN logo are prominently displayed on lampposts and along highway dividers, adding a symbolic and dignified touch to the route that the dignitaries will travel.
Also stealing the spotlight is the digital billboard on the KLIA Expressway displaying the greeting 'Selamat Datang' with the ASEAN logo, for delegates to witness as they leave the airport heading to KLCC.
The ASEAN Summit will begin with a senior officials' meeting on May 23, followed by a ministerial meeting on May 25, while the heads of government meeting will begin on May 26.
The theme of 'Inclusivity and Sustainability' has been adopted as a unifying basis for regional and global engagement. Malaysia's commitment is to strengthen ASEAN centrality, foster economic cooperation and champion the principles of inclusivity and sustainability.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Diplomatic corps praises King's role in regional diplomacy, national unity
KUALA LUMPUR: The esteemed patronage and leadership of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, have earned praise from the diplomatic community for enhancing Malaysia's diplomatic standing and promoting national unity. Yemen's Ambassador to Malaysia, Dr Adel Mohamed Ba Hamid, commended Sultan Ibrahim's steadfast support for Malaysia's Asean chairmanship this year, including His Majesty's role in strengthening Malaysia's voice on the regional stage. Adel Mohamed also acknowledged His Majesty's consistent message of inclusivity and harmony, particularly the call for Malaysians to embrace unity in diversity, a timely appeal amid rising global polarisation. "Under Your Majesty's guidance, Malaysia has continued to enjoy political stability. This stability enables the government to plan for the long term and seize emerging opportunities in the green and digital economies to create high-quality jobs for Malaysians," he said. He said this in a congratulatory speech on behalf of the diplomatic corps at the investiture ceremony held in conjunction with His Majesty's official birthday celebration at Istana Negara on Monday (June 2). Sultan Ibrahim and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, graced the occasion. Also present were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul, Dewan Negara President Datuk Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and other members of the Cabinet. Adel Mohamed also highlighted the success of the recently concluded 46th Asean Summit and the Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-China Summit, chaired by Anwar, which underscored the importance of multilateral collaboration amid global uncertainty. "Leaders from Asean, as well as Timor-Leste, the GCC and China, were also honoured to attend the royal luncheon hosted by Your Majesty, which highlighted Your Majesty's enduring support for regional integration," he said. The Ambassador also conveyed the diplomatic corps' best wishes to Sultan Ibrahim and Raja Zarith Sofiah, praying for their continued good health and happiness. Adel Mohamed said the diplomatic community in Malaysia stands ready to work closely with His Majesty, the Malaysian government and the Malaysian people. The diplomatic corps also congratulated all recipients of federal awards, honours and medals at the ceremony, describing the recognition as a testament to their longstanding contributions to Malaysia's growth. - Bernama
Malaysiakini
an hour ago
- Malaysiakini
Asean currencies seen strengthening this year as US dollar weakens
Asean currencies are expected to appreciate further this year as global investors diversify away from heavy US exposures, said Maybank Investment Bank Bhd (Maybank IB) today. The investment bank noted that all major Asean currencies - including the ringgit, Singapore dollar, Indonesian rupiah and Thai baht - are likely to strengthen in 2025.
Malaysiakini
2 hours ago
- Malaysiakini
Asean-GCC-China summit: Forging strategic trilateral future
LETTER | On May 27, Kuala Lumpur became the epicentre of a historic diplomatic convergence as the leaders of Asean, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the People's Republic of China gathered for the first-ever Asean-GCC-China Summit. This unprecedented trilateral engagement, held under the chairmanship of Malaysia, marked a milestone in international diplomacy, economic cooperation and strategic alignment among three of the world's most dynamic regions. The summit was more than a mere multilateral meeting. It symbolised the coming together of regions connected by centuries of trade, civilisation, and cooperation from the ancient Silk Road and the maritime powerhouses of Melaka to the energy corridors of the Gulf and the technological advances of modern China. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as host and chair, reflected this spirit by emphasising the deep historical linkages and shared aspirations that bind these blocs together. Anwar described the summit as a 'new chapter in Asean's journey of outward-looking engagement,' underscoring the trilateral potential of a combined population exceeding 2.15 billion and a gross domestic product (GDP) of US$24.87 trillion. He stressed that such a scale presents immense opportunities to synergise markets, deepen innovation, and foster cross-regional investments. Global dynamics The 2025 summit took place against a backdrop of shifting global dynamics, notably the rise in U.S. protectionism under President Donald Trump's second term. As the United States imposed new rounds of tariffs on Asean exports - reaching up to 49 percent for some member states - there was a clear impetus for regional blocs to assert strategic autonomy. The Asean-GCC-China alignment thus appeared not as a defiance of global order, but as a recalibration of priorities towards multipolarity, cooperation and balanced engagement. While Anwar was careful to reiterate that the US remains an important trade partner, he also reaffirmed Asean's intention to maintain a policy of 'constructive, balanced engagement' with all major powers. This was echoed in the summit's joint statement, which pledged to uphold international law, multilateralism and mutual respect. The summit produced a far-reaching Joint Statement, outlining commitments in six primary domains: economic integration, energy and sustainability, digital transformation, food and agriculture, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges. These areas form the backbone of what the leaders termed a 'unified and collective path toward a peaceful, prosperous, and just future.' The summit reaffirmed the centrality of trade as the cornerstone of trilateral relations. Leaders committed to finalising and signing the Asean-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) 3.0 Upgrade and looked forward to the early conclusion of the China-GCC Free Trade Agreement. Furthermore, they proposed the establishment of a trilateral regional business council to facilitate dialogue between companies across the three regions, with a special focus on digital trade, fintech, supply chains and empowering micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). There was also a strong push for de-dollarisation strategies, with an emphasis on local currency usage and cross-border payment systems to shield regional trade from external volatility. Infrastructure development was positioned as both an economic and symbolic enabler of regional unity. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was endorsed as a platform to enhance seamless regional connectivity, particularly through digital infrastructure, maritime security cooperation and the development of logistics corridors. These initiatives are expected to diversify economic access and deepen inter-regional trade links between the Asean archipelago, the Gulf and mainland China. On energy Energy featured prominently, reflecting the Gulf's strength as an energy powerhouse and China's and Asean's increasing drive toward clean energy transitions. The summit participants agreed to collaborate on an inclusive, affordable energy transition aligned with the Paris Agreement. Joint efforts will focus on clean hydrogen, low-carbon ammonia, carbon capture and nuclear energy guided by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards. The parties also committed to strengthening energy market stability, investing in cross-border energy infrastructure such as LNG terminals and undersea power cables and promoting innovation in emerging green technologies. The leaders acknowledged digital innovation as a strategic priority. There was consensus on exploring cross-regional frameworks for cooperation in digital trade, fintech, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, blockchain and smart city development. To ensure inclusivity in the digital age, the summit endorsed skills development, digital literacy programs, and inclusive platform work protections. Food security was highlighted as an urgent issue, especially amid ongoing conflicts and supply chain disruptions. The leaders agreed to enhance sustainable agricultural practices, promote halal food trade through mutual recognition of standards and diversify food sources to strengthen regional nutrition and food resilience. Cultural diplomacy was also a core theme. The summit committed to boosting educational exchange, scholarship programs, mutual tourism marketing, and cross-cultural initiatives through art, music and literature. A special focus was placed on youth engagement and intercultural dialogue to build mutual trust and long-term friendship among the peoples of the three regions. In addition to development priorities, the summit tackled pressing global humanitarian and security concerns. The plight of Palestinians was addressed comprehensively, with the leaders jointly condemning attacks on civilians in Gaza and calling for a durable ceasefire and full humanitarian access. The summit cited the International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion (July 19, 2024) and UN resolutions supporting the two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders. Qatar's mediation and China's role in facilitating Palestinian unity through the Beijing Declaration (July 2024) were acknowledged and praised. The leaders also endorsed Saudi Arabia's initiative to co-host a High-Level International Conference for Peace in Palestine with France in June 2025. Myanmar crisis In addressing the Myanmar crisis, the summit called for extending the ceasefire initiated after the March earthquake, although concerns were raised about the military regime's sincerity. Nonetheless, Asean reaffirmed its commitment to a peaceful solution through regional consensus and diplomacy. Anwar delivered multiple keynotes during the summit and the accompanying Asean-GCC-China Economic Forum. He celebrated the event as a landmark demonstration of Asean's capacity to convene and lead amidst complexity. Anwar highlighted the rapid economic rise of the GCC, particularly in energy transition and AI development, and reaffirmed China as a vital partner for regional stability, justice, and development. He praised the summit for achieving concrete consensus on governance, economic policy, and human rights advocacy, stating that this summit proves that open dialogue and collective spirit can overcome differences. Chinese Premier Li Qiang echoed similar sentiments, emphasising China's readiness to align development strategies with Asean and GCC partners, and expressing optimism that trilateral synergies would multiply benefits across all regions. GCC leaders, including Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khalid Al Sabah, stressed the importance of building resilient partnerships to withstand global crises, while advancing negotiations on a free trade area with Asean. The summit concluded with a collective pledge to implement the joint statement through agreed mechanisms and to build on existing frameworks such as the Asean-GCC and Asean-China platforms. The leaders also looked ahead to future summits, including the Asia Cooperation Dialogue in Doha (October 2025) and the Palestine Peace Conference (June 2025). In short, the Asean-GCC-China Summit represents a bold reimagining of global governance. It demonstrated that in a fragmented international order, regional blocs can lead with purpose, foster inclusivity and champion cooperation over conflict. With Malaysia at the helm, the summit has set a precedent for strategic trilateralism that could shape Asia and the Middle East for decades to come. NURUL AMELLYA AZHAR is a doctorate student in International Political Economy at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
