ASEAN Summit: Gaza, Promoting Investment Among Key Focus At Leaders' Retreat
KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 (Bernama) -- The situation in Gaza, strengthening cooperation among member states, advancing regional economic interests, and promoting investment initiatives within ASEAN will be among the key focus areas of the Leaders' Retreat held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim also highlighted the importance of the ASEAN Power Grid project, describing it as a key initiative to enhance regional energy cooperation.
'Malaysia, as this year's ASEAN chair, is committed to advancing ASEAN as a principled regional force with a clear and sustainable economic vision,' he said in a Facebook post.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
20 minutes ago
- The Star
APG will boost regional power connectivity, energy security, says Fadillah
KUCHING: The Asean Power Grid (APG) initiative will improve power connectivity and energy security across the region, says Datuk Fadillah Yusof. The Deputy Prime Minister said an enhanced memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the APG was set to be signed at the Asean Ministers on Energy Meeting in Kuala Lumpur in October, along with the formal endorsement of the terms of reference of the subsea power cable development framework. "This critical advancement will undoubtedly propel our regional energy integration forward," he said at the welcoming dinner of the 43rd Asean Senior Officials Meeting on Energy here on Monday (June 16) night. Fadillah, who is also Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, said the APG was the cornerstone for cultivating a more resilient and sustainable energy future across Asean. He described it as an infrastructure project with a vision of electricity flowing seamlessly across borders and shared energy security and prosperity. "By interconnecting our national grids, we are creating the backbone of a truly integrated Asean energy market," he said. Fadillah called for stronger political will, deeper technical cooperation and smarter investment strategies to fully realise the APG. He said harmonised regulations, open and transparent markets and digital innovation were needed to make real-time regional power trading a reality. "We need to embrace not just the hardware cables, substations and control systems, but also the software: governance frameworks, data sharing and mutual trust. "In essence, the Asean Power Grid is about turning our diversity into strength. It is about leveraging our shared geography and complementary resources to build a future that is greener, more inclusive and more secure," he said. He added that the APG enhanced MOU, coupled with the forthcoming Asean Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation 2026-2030 document, will be a powerful catalyst for economic growth across all Asean member states.
The Star
20 minutes ago
- The Star
Pakistan shut borders with Iran amid rising Iran-Israel tensions
KARACHI (Pakistan), June 16 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- Pakistan has closed its air and land routes with neighbouring Iran amid the latter's escalating conflict with Israel, leaving hundreds stranded on both sides of the border, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) quoted officials on Monday. The closure, effective since Sunday, is expected to cause food and fuel shortages in parts of Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province, which relies heavily on supplies and smuggled oil from Iran, local residents fear. Multiple land routes link Pakistan with Iran, with the Taftan border crossing in Chaghi district and the Gabd-Rimdan crossing in Gwadar district among the most prominent. Balochistan government spokesman, Shahid Rind told AA that the closure followed a similar move by Iran. "All border crossings between the two countries have been closed for trade and pedestrian movement after Iran initiated the closure," he said. However, he added that Pakistanis stranded in Iran would be allowed to return, although new entries into Iran are barred until further notice. The first group of stranded citizens, comprising mainly pilgrims and students, was expected to return via the Taftan crossing later on Monday. Meanwhile, several airlines operating flights from Pakistan to Iran and Iraq have suspended operations due to rising regional tensions, according to a Civil Aviation Authority spokesman. - Bernama-Anadolu
Barnama
21 minutes ago
- Barnama
Qhazanah Sabah Teams Up With Bina Indah To Develop The Hill @ Damai Project
REGION - SABAH > NEWS KOTA KINABALU, June 16 (Bernama) -- Qhazanah Sabah Bhd (QSB) today signed a joint development agreement (JDA) with Bina Indah Development Sdn Bhd for the development of The Hill @ Damai here. QSB chairman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob said the JDA outlines the development of a mixed-use urban revitalisation project on 5.26 hectares located adjacent to Hospital Queen Elizabeth II. He said The Hill @ Damai will be Sabah's first development integrating a medical ecosystem with a high-end modern commercial precinct, with an estimated gross development value exceeding RM500 million. bootstrap slideshow 'This groundbreaking development will be a modern commercial hub that combines medical ecosystem development with contemporary lifestyle offerings. Among other features, the project will provide more than 1,500 parking bays,' he said in his speech at the signing ceremony at Menara Kinabalu here today. Yusof said the state government believes the project will generate significant economic benefits at a macro level and provide substantial revenue for both QSB and the state government. Signing on behalf of QSB were Yusof and deputy group chief executive officer Rudy Jaglul, while Bina Indah Development was represented by director Kenyo Chu and executive director Allison Tey Phing Phing. Sabah Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe witnessed the ceremony. When completed, The Hill @ Damai is expected to offer over 500,000 square feet of commercial space. The project, slated for completion within five years, is projected to create over 1,000 jobs and attract substantial economic activities.
