Anwar Expresses Condolences Over Passing Of Former Vietnamese President Tran Duc Luong
Anwar said the late Tran Duc Luong served during a defining period in Vietnam's history, helping to uphold the spirit of the Doi Moi (economic) reforms with quiet resolve.
'As Deputy Prime Minister and later as President, he played a steady role in guiding the nation through change, ensuring that progress was matched by stability and a clear sense of direction.
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New Straits Times
2 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Cross-border trade to thrive after high-level consultation
IT took bilateral summitry at the highest level to revive cross-border free-trade arrangement at the Tebedu-Entikong border crossing between Sarawak and West Kalimantan in Indonesia. This deal was one of the highlights of the 13th Malaysia-Indonesia Annual Consultation meeting between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta this week. Also present were Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor. Sarawak had long sought to revive the free flow of goods since Indonesia unilaterally stopped it in 2016. Sarawak set up an inland port early in 2010 because it seemed to make good economic sense to transport goods from Kuching Port to West Kalimantan via the Tebedu inland port rather than all the way from Java. At its height in 2013, some RM700 million in goods were reported to be traded this way. Numerous Sarawak missions to Indonesia seeking to reinstate the free-trade arrangement since then had been fruitless. It, of course, hardly needs stressing that free trade benefits all who engage in it. It also makes geographic sense for transshipment of goods to and from West Kalimantan via Tebedu and Kuching. Naturally, it also needs to be acknowledged that West Kalimantan has similar aspirations to become a trade transshipment hub with the commissioning of a new deep sea port near Pontianak, the provincial capital. The new port will also be well-served by land adjoining it, which has been earmarked for the development of industries. It so happened that a trade delegation from Sarawak led by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan was in West Kalimantan and East Kalimantan, also this week. The main mission was, of course, to deepen the economic relationship not just with West Kalimantan bordering Sarawak but in East Kalimantan where the new Indonesian capital of Nusantara is being developed. Sarawak has already identified several joint-ventures in developing dams in Kalimantan and even major real estate developer Ibraco Bhd was scouting about for possible projects in Balikpapan, the major city adjoining Nusantara. Awang Tengah was reportedly also reviewing localities for setting up a Sarawak trade and tourism office in Pontianak. This comes on the heels of the revival of air connectivity between Kuching and Pontianak next month. There has been much clamour both in Sarawak and West Kalimantan for flights between the two cities to resume after they were stopped during the Covid-19 pandemic. People-to-people exchanges have come back strongly since as witnessed by the daily long queues at the Tebedu-Entikong main border crossing as well as other secondary border posts. All these positive developments must be sustained through regular high-level official exchanges, especially in showing to the Indonesian side that free trade and the free flow of people across our common border is not a zero-sum proposition benefiting only one side. What happened in Jakarta this week also shows that Sarawak and Sabah can and do benefit substantially from close state-federal ties and working in tandem to take the fullest advantage from similarly close Malaysia-Indonesia bilateral ties.
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
New regional centre strengthens China-Asean economic link
Hainan Daily Press Group Deputy Editor-in Chief, Niu Xiaomin (3rd from left) and Bernama Chairman, Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai launching the Hainan International Media Centre. Looking on is (from left) Nanyang Siang Pau, Editor-in-Chief Evie Loh, Kwong Wah Yit Poh, Executive Editor-in-Chief Tee Hor Yean, Eng Teck and Datuk George Yong Ket How.—SAMUEL ONG/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: Efforts to strengthen China–Asean ties gained momentum following the opening of Hainan International Media Centre (HIMC)'s regional hub for Asean here. The centre serves as a bridge to engage with the Southeast Asia region to develop an international land-sea trade corridor. It also plays a critical role in sharing Hainan's development narrative, including tourism, commercial expansion and policy reforms. Hainan Daily Press Group deputy editor-in-chief Niu Xiaomin said Malaysia was chosen because it is home to a sizeable population of Chinese descendants, particularly the Hainanese community, which has preserved deep-rooted cultural ties and continues to uphold strong traditions. He hoped the stories of Malaysian Chinese and Chinese citizens could serve as a cultural bridge, strengthening people-to-people ties between the two nations while promoting mutual understanding and highlighting shared values across the region. He also said that Hainan would officially become a free trade port on Dec 18, allowing for some 74% of goods entering the island to enjoy zero-tariff benefits. "This marks a new starting point for Hainan's journey towards a higher level of openness to the outside world," he said at the launch of the HIMC–Asean Liaison Centre here on Friday (Aug 1). The event also saw the establishment of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor Asean Economic and Trade Station, and the Haifeng International Film and Television Base Asean Centre. Several agreements on media collaboration were also signed with Bernama, Nanyang Siang Pau and Kwong Wah Yit Poh to jointly produce programmes and conduct activities about Malaysia and Hainan. Partnerships were also established between HIMC and the Federation of Hainan Association Malaysia, Mila University and Lingshui Yingli Wanxiang Digital Media Industry. The HIMC–Asean Liaison Centre also serves as the Malaysia office for Guangxi International Communication Centre and the International Communication Centre of Guizhou Radio and TV Station. Also present were Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai, Kwong Wah Yit Poh executive editor-in-chief Tee Hor Yean, Nanyang Siang Pau editor-in-chief Evie Loh, the Federation of Hainan Association Malaysia president Datuk George Yong Ket How and HIMC senior advisor for Hainan-Asean international communication Dr Pua Eng Teck. Later in the day, Niu led a delegation to visit Star Media Group. They were briefed on the media company's history, operations and commitment to journalistic integrity while engaging in a fruitful meeting with its group chief executive officer Chan Seng Fatt to explore opportunities for collaboration.
The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
Malaysia's mediation role boosts US tariff talks, says minister
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's mediation in the Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire has strengthened its position in tariff discussions with the United States, according to Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz. 'Honestly I don't know, I didn't ask... but it definitely helps,' he said when asked about the diplomatic spillover effects. The ceasefire was among topics discussed between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and US President Donald Trump, highlighting Malaysia's ASEAN leadership. Thailand and Cambodia's border tensions escalated in late May, with clashes near Preah Vihear resulting in casualties. Malaysia's intervention aligns with its regional peacekeeping commitments. On tariffs, Tengku Zafrul emphasised fairness: 'We want the rate to be competitive with ASEAN neighbours... the 19 per cent rate is fair.' A joint Malaysia-US statement on tariffs is expected this weekend. - Bernama
