ASEAN SOM honours Vietnam's late former President Tran Duc Luong
THE ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) today paid tribute to the former President of Vietnam, Tran Duc Luong (picture), who died on Tuesday.
Malaysia's Foreign Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin extended the nation's deepest condolences and acknowledged the former leader's contributions, especially in the context of ASEAN cooperation.
'On behalf of Malaysia, we extend our heartfelt condolences on the passing of the former president.
'Our Prime Minister has already conveyed his sympathies to the government and people of Vietnam, expressing our sorrow and recognising the late leader's service and dedication to the nation,' Amran said before the meeting commenced at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) today.
The SOM is a key preparatory phase ahead of the 46th ASEAN Summit, scheduled to take place from May 26 to 27.
The session began with remarks by Amran welcoming ASEAN SOM Leaders, Timor-Leste's SOM representatives and officials from the ASEAN Secretariat to the meeting.
The 46th ASEAN Summit, themed 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', will gather leaders from the bloc's member states to discuss regional issues, foster economic cooperation and advance the principles of inclusivity and sustainability.
Kuala Lumpur will also concurrently host the second ASEAN-GCC Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit.
Yesterday, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also expressed his condolences in a Facebook post, noting that the late president served during a pivotal period in Vietnam's history. He credited Tran Duc Luong with steadfastly upholding the spirit of the Doi Moi (economic) reforms.
Tran Duc Luong died at the age of 88, at 10.51 pm on Tuesday (May 20) at his residence in Hanoi, after a period of illness.
He served as Deputy Prime Minister from September 1992 to August 1997 and as President from September 1997 to June 2006. — BERNAMA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
44 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Penang to review housing discount for Indian Muslims at next exco meeting
GEORGE TOWN: The Penang state government has agreed to review and discuss the five per cent housing discount for first-time Indian Muslim homebuyers at the upcoming state executive council (exco) meeting. State DAP chairman Steven Sim Chee Keong said he had discussed the matter with Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. "I acknowledge the public feedback regarding the five per cent discount given to the Indian Muslim community for the purchase of unsold property units (overhang) in Penang. "I have discussed this matter with YAB Chow (Kon Yeow), and he has agreed to bring this issue up for review and discussion at the upcoming exco meeting," he said in a statement. As a party founded on the Federal Constitution, Sim said DAP had always championed justice and the welfare of all Malaysians, regardless of race or religion. "It is important for the Penang state government to continue upholding the principle of social justice and to ensure the rights of every Malaysian to own a home are protected," he added. does not involve units under the Bumiputera quota and does not affect any existing home ownership policies. He said the initiative was part of efforts to expand home ownership opportunities in the open market, particularly for groups with low participation rates, without affecting the rights of other communities.
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Thai Commander: Over 400 protests filed against Cambodian border violations
BANGKOK: In a detailed Facebook post, Major General Nutt Sri-in, Deputy Commander of the 2nd Army Region, alleged that Cambodia has violated the 2000 MoU by advancing troops and digging trenches into Thai territory. He stated that Thai forces have exercised restraint and pursued peaceful negotiations, but warned that further unilateral action could escalate tensions. Maj Gen Nutt Sri-in, Deputy Commander of Thailand's 2nd Army Region, posted a detailed message on his personal Facebook page on Saturday (June 7), highlighting key historical and legal facts surrounding the Thai-Cambodian border dispute. He wrote: 'The Truth... 1. Thailand and Cambodia have long-standing border issues, primarily because the two sides rely on different historical maps. 2. The 1:200,000-scale map often referenced was produced as part of the Franco-Siam Treaties of 1904 and 1907. It is a rough-scale map with several discrepancies from the actual watershed line. 3. To address these differences, both countries agreed to establish the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) to work together on producing an officially accepted border line and demarcation markers. 4. While the JBC carries out its work, a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2000 (commonly referred to as MOU43) provides guidelines for both sides. Notably, Article 5 prohibits any alteration of terrain that could impact the watershed boundary. - Photo: The Nation/ANN 5. In the past, Cambodia has consistently violated MOU43 by expanding communities, building casinos, and cultivating crops near the border—actions that damage the watershed. We have lodged more than 400 protests, but cooperation to resolve the issues has been minimal. Meanwhile, on our side, the area falls under national park status, so no such actions can be taken. 6. Before the burning of the Trimuk Pavilion on February 28, 2025, Cambodian troops were stationed no closer than 500 metres from the border. Our forces were similarly positioned. The area in between was a zone of peace, where both sides came and went, coordinated, and resolved issues through dialogue. 7. On February 28, 2025, Cambodia burned down the Trimuk Pavilion and advanced their forces to the alstonia scholaris tree, which intrudes approximately 150 metres into Thai sovereignty. They also dug a trench, destroyed the watershed, and violated MoU 43. 8. We have tried to resolve the issue peacefully, with patience and restraint. We have held negotiations many times, requesting the withdrawal of troops that encroached on Thai sovereignty, but Cambodia refused to pull back. Eventually, weapons were used on May 28, 2025. 9. Thai commanders at all levels have sought peaceful solutions, repeatedly negotiating for the withdrawal of troops from the encroached area. Cambodia claims those forces were already stationed there before MOU43, which is absolutely untrue. If troops had been there last year (August 2024), how could I have walked through that point to reach the Trimuk Pavilion? 10. Cambodia claims it is under aggression and that Thailand is not resolving the issue peacefully. They threaten to escalate the conflict to the International Court of Justice, saying it will bring closure. But how can there be closure? 11. Cambodia continues to reinforce troops and bring in weapons, attempting to extend control to other parts of the border that were previously unoccupied forest or hills. If we deploy forces to defend our sovereignty, it becomes a direct confrontation. For what purpose? 12. We have already agreed rules between our two sides. Wouldn't it be better to face each other openly and talk like men? If this goes to court, our children will end up adversaries forever. What good can come from that, if we still consider each other friends? - The Nation/ANN
Daily Express
2 hours ago
- Daily Express
I was blacklisted from Sabah last week, now banned from leaving Malaysia: Fahmi Reza
Published on: Saturday, June 07, 2025 Published on: Sat, Jun 07, 2025 By: Malay Mail Text Size: Fahmi shared on social media that he arrived at KLIA2 for a short two-day trip to a concert in Singapore. - Pic via Fahmi Reza | Facebook Graphic artist and political activist Fahmi Reza said he was stopped from boarding a flight to Singapore today after being informed he was blacklisted from travelling overseas — the second such travel restriction imposed on him in just over two weeks. In a statement posted on his social media, Fahmi recounted arriving at KLIA2 at around 7.30am to catch a 9.35am flight for a short two-day trip to attend a concert featuring South Korean band Slant and Singaporean act Sial. Advertisement But at the international departure counter, Immigration officers told him he had been flagged and needed to wait at their office. 'I was asked to wait while they checked with TCO (Travel Control Office/Order). Then they took my passport and IC for photocopying. They also wanted printed copies of my boarding pass and e-ticket, even though I had them on my phone,' he wrote, adding that with only 10 minutes left before boarding, an airport staff member helped him get the documents printed at a hotel nearby. When he returned to Immigration with the documents, Fahmi said an officer told him, 'Bukit Aman has not given clearance for you to leave the country.' He said no explanation was provided and he was escorted out of the departure area. Advertisement Fahmi is well known for his satirical illustrations that often critique political leaders and institutions. He believes the ban is linked to his artwork criticising the recent appointment of former Sabah chief minister Tun Musa Aman as the state's new Yang di-Pertua Negeri. Just weeks earlier, on May 29, the Sabah Immigration Department had denied Fahmi entry into the state under Section 65(1)(a) of the Immigration Act 1959/63. He said he was flown back to Kuala Lumpur the same day without further explanation. That incident followed his earlier arrest by Sabah police in February this year over another satirical post. Authorities had opened investigations under the Sedition Act for allegedly insulting the royal institution. 'Last week I was blacklisted from entering Sabah. This week, I'm blacklisted from leaving the country,' he wrote. 'My only 'offence' was creating critical artwork.' * 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
