Pakistan's Asean partnership bid to be discussed

The Star

5 hours ago

Warm wishes: Anwar shaking hands with members of the public after attending the Aidiladha prayers at the Putra Mosque in Putrajaya. — Bernama
PUTRAJAYA: Pakistan's bid to become a full dialogue partner with Asean will be discussed with leaders of the regional grouping, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
'It will be brought up for discus­sion at the Asean leaders' conference,' he told reporters briefly after performing the Aidiladha prayers at the Putra Mosque here yesterday.
He said this when asked to ­comment on Pakistan's renewed efforts to elevate its partnership status with Asean, Bernama repor­ted.
Yesterday, Pakistan's High Com­mis­sioner to Malaysia Syed Ahsan Raza Shah said that Islamabad is renewing its push to become a full dialogue partner, reflecting the country's commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and deepening engagement with the bloc.
Pakistan, which became Asean's first sectoral dialogue partner in 1993, values its cooperation with the regional grouping and aims to further expand the ties.
In October last year, Anwar was quoted as saying that Malaysia fully supported Pakistan's efforts to become a full dialogue partner of Asean. When asked about Pakistan welcoming his offer to mediate in the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, Anwar said Malaysia only hopes for a peaceful resolution.
'I have no role to play; I'm simply offering my opinion,' he said.
Earlier, Anwar and his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, performed the Aidiladha prayers alongside nearly 15,000 congregants at the Putra Mosque.
Anwar, dressed in a light blue baju Melayu, arrived at 7.50am and was greeted by Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Dr Zulkifli Hasan.
The Prime Minister also joined the congregation to recite the takbir raya before performing the Aidiladha prayers, led by the Grand Imam of the Putra Mosque, Dr Muhamad Zakuwa Rodzali.
He then listened to the Aidil­adha sermon, which emphasised the importance of intention, proper conduct and sincerity in performing the sacrificial ritual.
Before departing, he took time to mingle and shake hands with members of the congregation.
Meanwhile, Anwar said Malay­sia supports the measures taken by Thailand and Cambodia in addressing the border dispute involving both countries.
He said Malaysia, as the Chair of Asean 2025, will follow the development of the negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia through the Joint Boundary Com­mission scheduled for June 14 in Phnom Penh, in addition to providing the cooperation required for the talks.
'I spoke with both the prime ministers (of Thailand and Cam­bo­dia), and they have taken seve­ral measures that we support, namely the June 14 talks regarding the Thailand-Cambodia border dispute.
'I'm ready to follow and provide the cooperation (that is) required. So far, both governments have taken the stance of continuing negotiations amicably,' he told the media.
On May 28, Thai and Cambodian troops were involved in a brief skirmish in Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani province and Cambo­dia's Preah Vihear province, which reportedly resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier.
Cambodia has since announced its intention to bring the border dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
Thailand, meanwhile, has repor­tedly reiterated its commitment to resolving the issue peacefully in accordance with international law, as well as existing agreements and memoranda with Cambodia.