58th Asean Day: Malaysia's proactive diplomacy underscored in regional celebration
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to grace the national-level celebration and deliver a keynote address, reaffirming Malaysia's continued commitment to Asean's shared aspirations especially as the country holds the Chairmanship of Asean 2025.
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The Star
39 minutes ago
- The Star
China hails Cambodia-Thailand border peace efforts through Asean way
Malaysia's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, center, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet (left), and Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai pose for photos after talks on a possible ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia in Putrajaya, Malaysia, Monday, July 28, 2025. -- Mohd Rasfan/Pool Photo via AP KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): China has welcomed the progress made by Cambodia and Thailand in advancing ceasefire arrangements, and reaffirmed Beijing's support for resolving disputes through the "Asean Way'. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson in a statement said the ceasefire along the Cambodia-Thailand border proves that dialogue and consultation is the right way to resolve disputes. "China upholds a just and fair position, supports Cambodia and Thailand in enhancing communication and resolving differences, supports advancing political settlement through the Asean Way," according to the statement in response to the outcomes of the Extraordinary Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC). The meeting, held in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 7, saw Cambodia and Thailand reaching consensus on the ceasefire monitoring mechanism and follow-up arrangements. It was co-chaired by Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister and National Defence Minister General Tea Seiha, and Thailand's Acting Minister of Defence General Nattaphon Narkphanit. Also present during the meeting as observers were Malaysia's Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari and Malaysia's Chief of Defence Force General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar China, which was represented by its Ambassador to Malaysia, Ouyang Yujing, attended the meeting as observer, alongside US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D. Kagan. "Cambodia and Thailand held an extraordinary GBC meeting and reached an understanding on the implementation arrangements, monitoring mechanism and follow-up matters of the ceasefire, laying the foundation for realising an effective ceasefire and cementing lasting peace between the two sides. China welcomes this," the statement read. China also expressed readiness to continue playing a constructive role in promoting a peaceful resolution of the border dispute. - Bernama
The Star
39 minutes ago
- The Star
Asean marks 58 years of unity, draws praise from global partners
KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): World leaders and foreign envoys took to social media on Thursday to convey their well wishes to Asean on its 58th anniversary, underscoring the bloc's enduring role in promoting regional peace, prosperity and cooperation. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described ASEAN as a "key partner' and celebrated the deepening ties between New Zealand and Southeast Asia, especially as both sides mark 50 years of diplomatic partnership this year. "The Association of South-East Asian Nations is 58 years old, and there's something that New Zealand wants to acknowledge and to celebrate,' he said in a LinkedIn post. Luxon noted that Asean is now New Zealand's fourth-largest trading partner, with strong people-to-people ties, including nearly 10,000 students from Southeast Asia currently studying in New Zealand. "Our relationship is delivering economic growth at both ends… and to all Asean friends, here's to 50 years of friendship and many, many more to come. Happy Asean Day to you,' he added. Australian Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong also joined in the regional celebration, stating on X, "Today, we celebrate Asean's achievements in promoting regional peace, stability, and shared prosperity. "Australia is a partner South-East Asia can count on,' she said, reaffirming Canberra's longstanding commitment to the region. Australia's High Commissioner to Malaysia, Danielle Heinecke, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting Australia's status as Asean's longest-standing dialogue partner since 1974. "We continue to work closely with Malaysia to advance its goals as Asean Chair, and remain committed to deepening our partnership grounded in Asean centrality,' she said in her X post tagging the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and regional missions. Framed by the iconic Kuala Lumpur skyline in the background, including the Petronas Twin Towers (KLCC), Australia's Ambassador to Asean, Tiffany McDonald delivered her Asean Day message, thanking envoys across the region for showcasing the depth of ties between Australia and Asean. "Our relationship is more active and more important than ever. As Asean's first dialogue partner and a comprehensive strategic partner, we are proud to work with Asean as it implements its vision of a resilient, innovative, dynamic and people-centred community,' she said. Australia, Aseans first Dialogue Partner and one of its Comprehensive Strategic Partners, is also celebrating 70 years of diplomatic presence in Malaysia. Japan's Ambassador to Malaysia Noriyuki Shikata, also posted his message on X, saying Japan "reaffirms its commitment to working closely with Asean as a trusted partner for decades to come.' "We commend Malaysia's leadership as Chair and will continue to strongly support Asean,' he said. Meanwhile, Canadian High Commissioner to Malaysia, Jodi Robinson, who attended the Asean Day celebration in Cyberjaya today, also offered her congratulations to the regional bloc. In a LinkedIn post with event photos, she wrote, "Happy Asean Day. Prime Minister Anwar's address focused on the need for Asean countries to push forward, to move beyond securing centrality and ensure Asean remains durable and strong with enhanced intra-economic relations.' The United States (US) also reaffirmed its commitment to Asean, with the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur posting on X that Washington remains a "durable and reliable partner' of the regional bloc. "The US continues to be a key contributor to economic growth in the region through far-reaching US-Asean commercial and trade ties, which support hundreds of thousands of jobs across the United States and Asean,' it said, noting that the US remains the top source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Asean. The Chairman of Myanmar's State Administration Council, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, in his Asean Day message published by The Global New Light of Myanmar, extended his wishes for sustained peace and prosperity among Asean nations. "I wish all our peoples across the Asean Member States continued success, peace and prosperity in the years ahead. May the enduring spirit of Asean continue to live collectively in the hearts of our peoples,' he said. Meanwhile, Vietnam's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu, through Voice of Vietnam, highlighted the core values that continue to define the Asean spirit. "Cooperation strengthens us, dialogue connects us, innovation drives us, and resilience defines us. But above all, solidarity remains Asean's most outstanding trait,' he said in conjunction with the regional bloc's 58th anniversary. Asean, established on Aug 8, 1967, comprises 10 member states, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Malaysia took over the role of Asean Chair on January 1 this year from Laos. This year is Malaysia's fifth ASEAN Chairmanship, having assumed the role in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015. - Bernama
Free Malaysia Today
42 minutes ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Trump to attend Asean Summit, says Anwar
US president Donald Trump held a phone call with the prime minister this morning. (AP pic) KUALA LUMPUR : US president Donald Trump will attend the Asean Summit in October, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced today. Anwar said he was informed of the matter during a call with Trump this morning. 'I told him I would announce his attendance at the sitting today,' he said when tabling the 13th Malaysia Plan in the Dewan Rakyat. Earlier this month, US secretary of state Marco Rubio hinted at the possibility of Trump attending the Asean summit in October. Anwar also said that a new tariff rate for Malaysia would be announced tomorrow. 'God willing, it will not be a burden on our economy,' he said. Earlier this month, the US imposed a 25% tariff on Malaysia effective Aug 1, a rate which Trump described as 'far less' than what was needed to eliminate the country's trade deficit with Malaysia. The rate was also higher than the 24% initially imposed on certain Malaysian exports to the US and placed on a 90-day pause ending today. Anwar said a series of discussions were held between the investment, trade and industry ministry and US trade representative, as well as the US secretary of commerce. 'After these discussions and listening to my explanation, he decided to delay the announcement of the tariff rate to tomorrow,' he said.
