Latest news with #38thAsia-PacificRoundtable
The Star
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Malaysia calls for overhaul of multilateralism amid global disruptions
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. – Bernama KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has called for a 'drastic overhaul' of the current framework of multilateralism, urging countries in the Asia-Pacific region to adapt to a world marked by persistent global disruptions, insecurity and weakened international cooperation. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said South-East Asia must not be passive in the face of major power rivalries and should chart its own course by reinforcing Asean's collective strength and shared moral responsibility. "We are not simply observers. We have a duty to each other and a role to play as citizens of this world. "This is the philosophy underpinning Malaysia's global outlook," he said during his keynote address at the Welcoming Dinner of the 38th Asia-Pacific Roundtable (APR), here on Tuesday (June 17). He stressed that Asean must reject narrow nationalism and strengthen its community-based principles to navigate a post-normal world marked by disruption and instability. "Multilateralism is buckling under the pressures of isolationism around the world," "We must stop pinning the weight of our hopes on any one partner to carry us through instability but instead nurture the kind of international cooperation that enables us to support each other," he said. He highlighted the crisis in Myanmar as one of the most pressing challenges facing the regional bloc. Mohamad said the situation has not only brought immense suffering to the people of Myanmar but also jeopardised Asean's moral standing and regional stability. "The blowback that neighbouring countries have received, from this, is undeniable," he said, citing the rise in trans-national crimes, job scams, and a deepening refugee crisis as direct consequences of the unrest. He said Asean must take decisive steps to ensure a pragmatic resolution that includes sustained engagement with all stakeholders, improved coordination of humanitarian aid, and clear demonstrations of Asean's commitment to peace. Mohamad reiterated Malaysia's stance that the region must not merely serve as a geopolitical buffer. "It is a new Cold War and we must, as we always have, adapt and overcome. We must be the speakers, and not the spoken-for," he said. He warned that conflicts outside the Asia-Pacific are not distant events for the region, as they directly impact energy prices, food security, arms procurement, migration patterns, and investment flows. "These external conflicts challenge the frameworks that underpin peace and security in our region. This not only means a duty to engage in dialogue but a duty to voice out when injustice becomes the norm," he added. Meanwhile, Mohamad also reiterated Malaysia's stance on the situation in Gaza, condemning the ongoing assault and the global community's silence. "We will not see the end of this, for as long as members of the international community continue to excuse genocidal actions as self-defence," he said. He added that Malaysia had warned the situation could escalate into a regional war which has now become a reality following Israel's strikes on Iran. He also warned of the economic impact of the strike, including surging global oil prices. "Global oil prices have already surged, as stakeholders expect major supply disruptions," he added. The 38th APR, held from June 17 to 19, is a premier regional forum organised by Isis Malaysia. This year's theme, 'Recalibrating Asia's Frontier', brings together diplomats, scholars, and policymakers to address rising geopolitical tensions, shifting power dynamics, and the future of regional cooperation in an increasingly uncertain world. – Bernama
The Sun
8 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Malaysia calls for overhaul of multilateralism amid global disruptions
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has called for a 'drastic overhaul' of the current framework of multilateralism, urging countries in the Asia-Pacific to adapt to a world marked by persistent global disruptions, insecurity, and weakened international cooperation. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Southeast Asia must not be passive in the face of major power rivalries and should chart its own course by reinforcing ASEAN's collective strength and shared moral responsibility. 'We are not simply observers. We have a duty to each other and a role to play as citizens of this world. 'This is the philosophy underpinning Malaysia's global outlook,' he said during his keynote address at the Welcoming Dinner of the 38th Asia-Pacific Roundtable (APR), here, Tuesday. He stressed that ASEAN must reject narrow nationalism and strengthen its community-based principles to navigate a post-normal world marked by disruption and instability. 'Multilateralism is buckling under the pressures of isolationism around the world,' 'We must stop pinning the weight of our hopes on any one partner to carry us through instability, but instead nurture the kind of international cooperation that enables us to support each other,' he said. He highlighted the crisis in Myanmar as one of the most pressing challenges facing the regional bloc. Mohamad said the situation has not only brought immense suffering to the people of Myanmar but also jeopardised ASEAN's moral standing and regional stability. 'The blowback that neighbouring countries have received, from this, is undeniable,' he said, citing the rise in transnational crimes, job scams, and a deepening refugee crisis as direct consequences of the unrest. He said ASEAN must take decisive steps to ensure a pragmatic resolution that includes sustained engagement with all stakeholders, improved coordination of humanitarian aid, and clear demonstrations of ASEAN's commitment to peace. Mohamad reiterated Malaysia's stance that the region must not merely serve as a geopolitical buffer. 'It is a new Cold War and we must, as we always have, adapt and overcome. We must be the speakers, and not the spoken-for,' he said. He warned that conflicts outside the Asia-Pacific are not distant events for the region, as they directly impact energy prices, food security, arms procurement, migration patterns, and investment flows. 'These external conflicts challenge the frameworks that underpin peace and security in our region. This not only means a duty to engage in dialogue, but a duty to voice out when injustice becomes the norm,' he added. Meanwhile, Mohamad also reiterated Malaysia's stance on the situation in Gaza, condemning the ongoing assault and the global community's silence. 'We will not see the end of this, for as long as members of the international community continue to excuse genocidal actions as self-defence,' he said. He added that Malaysia had warned the situation could escalate into a regional war which has now become a reality following Israel's strikes on Iran. He also warned of the economic impact of the strike, including surging global oil prices. 'Global oil prices have already surged, as stakeholders expect major supply disruptions,' he added. The 38th APR, held from June 17 to 19, is a premier regional forum organised by ISIS Malaysia. This year's theme, 'Recalibrating Asia's Frontier', brings together diplomats, scholars, and policymakers to address rising geopolitical tensions, shifting power dynamics, and the future of regional cooperation in an increasingly uncertain world.
New Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Mohamad: Asean taking pragmatic steps to resolve Myanmar crisis
KUALA LUMPUR: Asean member states are taking steps to ensure a pragmatic resolution to the Myanmar crisis, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. He said the bloc's goal is to ensure sustained engagement with all stakeholders in Myanmar, enhance coordination of humanitarian aid and demonstrate Asean's seriousness in pursuing a pragmatic resolution. He said no issue has tested Asean's sense of moral responsibility as much as the crisis in Myanmar. "The crisis continues to inflict suffering on the people of Myanmar, destabilise regional security and challenge the credibility of Asean itself. "The blowback that neighbouring countries have received from this is undeniable. "Southeast Asian nations are facing great pressure, from the combined threats of transnational crimes, job scams and an increasingly urgent refugee crisis. "Indeed, pragmatism is at the heart of how the nations of this region engage not just with each other, but with the world at large," he said in his speech at the welcoming dinner of the 38th Asia-Pacific Roundtable. Mohamad said Malaysia, as Asean chair, carries a huge responsibility, especially at a time when multilateralism is under pressure from growing isolationism worldwide. "In a world such as this, we must resist the temptation to retreat into narrow nationalism. "Asean's future cannot be built on the exclusive interests of each member. It must be rooted in our shared commitment to the Asean community," he said. He said Asean is not far from conflicts outside of the Asia-Pacific. Mohamad said the effects could be seen in the energy markets, food supply chains, arms procurement, migration patterns and global investment flows. "They shape inflationary pressures, strain public sentiment and test the resilience of multilateral cooperation." He said the past few months have tested the bloc's will, as Southeast Asia finds itself caught in the economic crossfire between superpowers. He called on nations to adapt and overcome by adjusting their outlooks. "When I say 'we', I am no longer referring only to Southeast Asia, but to the entire international community. "It is time for us to stop pinning the weight of our hopes, on any one partner to carry us through instability, but instead, to nurture the kind of international cooperation, that enables us to all support each other. "To future-proof the global order by making it truly global."
New Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Israeli strike on Iran blatant escalation of violence and war
KUALA LUMPUR: Israel's offensive strikes on Iran are not only a blatant escalation of violence and agitation for war, but also a further destabilising action in an already fragile regional dynamic . Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the economic fallout from these attacks was evident, particularly in the surge in global oil prices. He said Malaysia's representatives had repeatedly raised the issue of Gaza on the world stage, yet the bombardments continued. "Almost two years ago, when these violations of international law began, we warned that it may grow into a regional hot war and indeed it has, when Israel escalated the conflict by launching offensive strikes on Iran. "Malaysia condemns these attacks. We view it not only as a blatant escalation of violence and agitation for war, but also, as a further destabilising action in an already unstable regional dynamic. "The economic fallout from these attacks is clear to see. Global oil prices have already surged, as stakeholders expect major supply disruptions," he said in his speech at the welcoming dinner of the 38th Asia-Pacific Roundtable. He said the bombardments in Gaza would persist as long as members of the international community continued to excuse genocidal actions as self-defence. Last Friday, Israel launched a series of strikes on Iranian territory, reportedly killing several high-ranking military officials and scientists. In retaliation, Iran fired ballistic missiles at several locations in Israel, resulting in multiple casualties and injuries. No Malaysians in Iran have been reported affected by the attacks.
