Special Thailand-Cambodia meeting begins in Putrajaya
The meeting involved Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and acting Thailand Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim serving as host, Asean Chair, and witness.
Also present were United States Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D. Kagan and Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing.
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New Straits Times
4 hours ago
- New Straits Times
YouTube generation propels Japan's anti-foreigner politics into mainstream
YUTA Kato is increasingly annoyed by foreigners ignorant of Japan's social etiquette, whether that involves blocking the streets near his work in Tokyo's upscale Ginza district or distracting commuters by playing loud videos on their phones. The 38-year-old hairdresser is among a growing number of Japanese voters drawn to the right-wing Sanseito party, whose warnings about foreigners helped it establish a strong foothold in an upper house election recently. "It is not about discrimination, it's just like, why don't they notice?" said Kato, who, like many Sanseito supporters, obtains his information from YouTube and other social media sites, a space the party has utilised to amplify its "Japanese First" message. Japan's foreign-born residents account for just three per cent of the total population, a fraction of the corresponding proportion in the United States and Europe, but record numbers of tourists in recent years have made foreigners more visible in major cities. While Sanseito largely avoids identifying specific immigrant groups, Romeo Marcantuoni, a Tokyo-based academic who has studied the party, said it tapped latent concerns ranging from badly-behaved tourists to conspiracy theories about sneaking Chinese influence. Kato said he believed the Chinese, the biggest cohort of foreign residents in Japan and among the largest visitor groups, were quietly taking over the country. Chinese are also often the focal point for anti-immigrant rhetoric propagated online. Sanseito leader Sohei Kamiya and other party lawmakers and candidates have raised concerns about Chinese buying up land and resources in Japan. One of the party's policies listed on its website is to "stop the silent invasion of Japan by foreign forces". The party did not immediately respond to a request for comment and Kamiya has previously denied criticism that it is xenophobic. Sanseito is most popular among 18 to 39-year-olds, with men favouring the party more than women, according to a poll conducted by public broadcaster NHK, a trend increasingly seen among support for right-wing parties in democracies worldwide. In contrast, support for Ishiba's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which lost its majority in the election, was deepest among those aged over 70 with no clear gender divide, the NHK poll showed. Sanseito's presence online had given them visibility among younger voters that the LDP had struggled to reach, Kato said. The party's official YouTube channel has three times as many followers as the LDP's, with engagement in their content far higher than other parties, a study by Asahi newspaper found. "They are the party of YouTube," said Jeffrey Hall, a lecturer at Kanda University of International Studies who has authored a book on right-wing politics in Japan. YouTube did not respond to emails seeking comment on Sanseito's use of the platform. On its community guidelines page, YouTube says it closely monitors content and removes videos it deems to promote "harmful or dangerous behaviour." Birthed during the Covid-19 pandemic when they spread conspiracy theories about vaccinations, Sanseito has broadened its appeal with its tough immigration policies and pledges to help households struggling with rising prices. It also wants to scrap Japan's pacifist constitution and restore the Emperor's authority, fringe ideas promoted by other right-wing groups that regularly drive around Japan's cities in black trucks blaring imperial-era military songs. While that megaphone politics has long been largely ignored by the Japanese, Sanseito has set its sights on emulating the successes of other far-right groups in Europe, such as Germany's AfD and Britain's Reform UK. At a rally held outside Tokyo's bustling Shimbashi train station recently, crowds clapped and cheered some of Sanseito's newly elected lawmakers. "They're going to get things done," said Eriko Harada, 47, a housewife wearing a kimono and a headband emblazoned with the words "Samurai Spirit", who said she voted for the first time this year. Sanseito's rise has sparked a backlash by those who fear the party is normalising xenophobia. The rally attracted dozens of protesters who tried to drown out the speakers. "It is people falling for lies and displacing their frustrations — economic hardship, political alienation — onto others," said Miroko Kato, a 42-year-old haiku poet among the protestors.
Barnama
4 hours ago
- Barnama
Malaysia To Ensure ASEAN Unite For Regional Stability And Peace
KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will ensure that ASEAN will be stronger and move in step or in tandem for global stability, prosperity and peace, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said Malaysia is committed to driving the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), accelerating the ASEAN Power Grid and finalising the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement to ensure an open, fair and sustainable economic future for the 660 million people in the region. "Therefore, ASEAN will continue to speak out, ensure harmony and lead with determination, and not just follow the global order," he said in a Facebook post today. The Prime Minister said the world is currently beset by great power tensions, a gruelling geo-economic race and the collapse of multilateralism. Anwar said in this regard, ASEAN must not weaken, divide and lag behind but must unite to strengthen ASEAN's role and ensure that the region's voice continues to be respected. For example, he said Malaysia as the 2025 ASEAN Chairman has led efforts to reconcile Cambodia and Thailand, two neighbouring countries that were almost dragged into a more serious conflict. "With the active involvement of China and the United States, we have succeeded in reaching an agreement on an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. "This is proof that diplomacy must underpin our efforts to embody peace and firm leadership," he said. Anwar, who is currently on a working visit to Indonesia, also announced that he was appearing for the first time at the ASEAN Secretariat Building based in Jakarta in conjunction with Malaysia's important role as ASEAN Chairman this year.
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
ASEAN as global peace model affirmed by Malaysia and Brunei
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Brunei have voiced strong confidence in ASEAN's ability to remain a leading example of diplomacy and global peace. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim highlighted this during a phone discussion with Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah following his arrival at the ASEAN Secretariat Building in Jakarta. 'We touched on ASEAN as well as talking about efforts to reconcile Thailand and Cambodia, which agreed to unconditionally stop all forms of violence yesterday. 'God willing, we are confident that ASEAN will continue to be a model region in promoting diplomacy and global peace,' Anwar shared in a Facebook post. The breakthrough follows a special ASEAN meeting chaired by Anwar in Putrajaya, where Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire to de-escalate border tensions. The meeting saw the participation of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. Key international stakeholders, including US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard Kagan and Chinese Ambassador Ouyang Yujing, also attended. The US co-organised the session, while China observed in support of a peaceful resolution. The longstanding border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia spans 817 kilometres, with tensions escalating since late May after clashes near Preah Vihear claimed a Cambodian soldier's life. Renewed skirmishes on July 24 further strained relations before the ceasefire agreement. Anwar later proceeded to Jakarta for the 13th Annual Consultation with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. – Bernama
