Latest news with #ASEAN-AIPALeaders'Interface
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
AIPA pushes for women, youth empowerment in ASEAN nation-building
KUALA LUMPUR: ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) president Tan Sri Johari Abdul have conveyed a strong and unified message on the need to enhance female and youth participation across various sectors to advance inclusive nation-building within ASEAN. He stressed that women and youth must be given greater space in leadership, politics and decision-making processes, as they are essential to building a sustainable and people-centred ASEAN. 'Alhamdulillah, in Malaysia, women's involvement is very encouraging in certain areas, particularly in the public sector's supporting services, where we have likely surpassed 50 per cent, and in the education sector as well,' he told reporters after ASEAN Leaders' Interface with Representatives of AIPA, held on the sidelines of the 46th ASEAN Summit here today. However, he noted that women remain underrepresented in other key fields, especially politics, and emphasised the need to empower young women to take on leadership roles. 'This is the area we want to push, so that the participation of young ladies becomes more active and prominent,' he said. Johari, who is the Dewan Rakyat Speaker, also called for greater empowerment of youth as future leaders, stressing that their aspirations must be meaningfully incorporated across all sectors, including politics, the economy, social development and education. He reaffirmed the shared commitment of ASEAN leaders and AIPA member parliaments to advancing a more inclusive, sustainable and people-centred regional community. Meanwhile, in a statement, the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives noted that Johari commended Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's leadership as ASEAN Chair and emphasised the importance of strong collaboration between the executive and legislative branches in shaping regional policy. The statement also highlighted the need to strengthen parliamentary initiatives supporting the empowerment of women and youth, the acceleration of digital integration and the advancement of green and sustainable economic growth. As the current ASEAN Chair, Malaysia is hosting the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from May 26 to 27. The ASEAN-AIPA Leaders' Interface is a dedicated platform for dialogue between ASEAN heads of state/government and the Speakers, Deputy Speakers, and representatives of AIPA Member Parliaments to align regional priorities through inclusive, multi-stakeholder governance.
The Sun
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
AIPA president defends ASEAN's position on Gaza amid criticism
KUALA LUMPUR: ASEAN parliamentarians have made a clear and unified call for an end to the violence in Gaza, Palestine, emphasising that the regional bloc has not turned a blind eye to the ongoing humanitarian crisis, according to ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) president Tan Sri Dr Johari Abdul. The matter has not been ignored and was recently discussed at AIPA meetings, he said in response to criticisms over ASEAN's perceived silence on the Gaza conflict, especially when compared to its strong stance on issues in Myanmar and Ukraine. 'If you look at our previous statement, which was a consensus among all leaders, we called for an end to the violence in Gaza. This includes a ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian assistance, and an end to acts of genocide. 'It is a very strong statement. There's nothing to hide,' Johari, who is also the Dewan Rakyat Speaker, said at a press conference after the 14th ASEAN-AIPA Leaders' Interface, held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit here today. He said as ASEAN is doing its best to solve the Myanmar problem, he also hopes that there will be more discussions among parliamentarians and government leaders in ASEAN to also push for collective efforts regarding the Gaza issue. 'The whole world knows what's happening in Gaza and we hope that there are more inner meetings to come to discuss this issue,' he said. Asked about Myanmar's military government's push to hold national elections by the end of the year, Johari noted that ASEAN's approach focuses on engagement and dialogue with all parties involved. 'There are many factions and reasons for the ongoing conflict. Each group has its own aims, desires, and needs. To understand the situation, ASEAN has decided to engage with all parties and we've received some positive responses, and we hope a mutual understanding can be reached without interference from the outside,' he said. Meanwhile, on whether the ASEAN summit under the shadow of escalating United States (US) tariff tensions could be one of most critical summit to its members, especially for export-orientated nations, Johari said ASEAN leaders are exploring ways to address the situation. He said while each country may deal with the US individually, there is also a shared understanding among ASEAN members on how to navigate these challenges. 'The ASEAN leaders have approached a way on how to handle whatever the President of the US is saying. But nevertheless, I guess ASEAN also allows each and every country to deal directly, as long as I think there's a perimeter of understanding between ASEAN leaders,' he said. The ASEAN-AIPA Leaders' Interface is a dedicated platform for dialogue between ASEAN heads of state/government and the Speakers, Deputy Speakers, and representatives of AIPA Member Parliaments to align regional priorities through inclusive, multi-stakeholder governance.
Barnama
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
AIPA President Defends ASEAN's Position On Gaza Amid Criticism
GENERAL Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul, who is also the 46th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) president during a press conference after the ASEAN Leaders' Interface With Representatives Of AIPA session in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre today. KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 (Bernama) -- ASEAN parliamentarians have made a clear and unified call for an end to the violence in Gaza, Palestine, emphasising that the regional bloc has not turned a blind eye to the ongoing humanitarian crisis, according to ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) president Tan Sri Dr Johari Abdul. The matter has not been ignored and was recently discussed at AIPA meetings, he said in response to criticisms over ASEAN's perceived silence on the Gaza conflict, especially when compared to its strong stance on issues in Myanmar and Ukraine. 'If you look at our previous statement, which was a consensus among all leaders, we called for an end to the violence in Gaza. This includes a ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian assistance, and an end to acts of genocide. 'It is a very strong statement. There's nothing to hide,' Johari, who is also the Dewan Rakyat Speaker, said at a press conference after the 14th ASEAN-AIPA Leaders' Interface, held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit here today. He said as ASEAN is doing its best to solve the Myanmar problem, he also hopes that there will be more discussions among parliamentarians and government leaders in ASEAN to also push for collective efforts regarding the Gaza issue. 'The whole world knows what's happening in Gaza and we hope that there are more inner meetings to come to discuss this issue,' he said. Asked about Myanmar's military government's push to hold national elections by the end of the year, Johari noted that ASEAN's approach focuses on engagement and dialogue with all parties involved. 'There are many factions and reasons for the ongoing conflict. Each group has its own aims, desires, and needs. To understand the situation, ASEAN has decided to engage with all parties and we've received some positive responses, and we hope a mutual understanding can be reached without interference from the outside,' he said. Meanwhile, on whether the ASEAN summit under the shadow of escalating United States (US) tariff tensions could be one of most critical summit to its members, especially for export-orientated nations, Johari said ASEAN leaders are exploring ways to address the situation.
Barnama
25-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Cambodia's National Assembly First Vice-President Calls On Dewan Rakyat Speaker
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul receives a courtesy call from First Vice-President of the National Assembly of Cambodia, Kittisethabindit Cheam Yeap at Parliament House today. KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 (Bernama) -- Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul today received a courtesy visit from the First Vice-President of the National Assembly of Cambodia, Kittisethabindit Cheam Yeap, at Parliament House here. The five-member delegation from Cambodia arrived at the building at 2.30 pm and subsequently held talks with Johari lasting approximately 40 minutes. According to the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat), the visit reflects the commitment of both countries to strengthen bilateral relations through inter-parliamentary diplomacy, in line with the goal of enhancing regional cooperation under the framework of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA). 'During the meeting, both parties exchanged views on efforts to expand cooperation in the fields of economy, tourism and technology. 'This is particularly in promoting bilateral investment, empowering cultural and heritage tourism, and exploring the potential of a sustainable digital economy in the post-pandemic era,' the office said in a statement. Meanwhile, Johari, who is also President of AIPA, was quoted in the statement as reaffirming the Malaysian Parliament's commitment to strengthening the role of the legislative institution in supporting development policies that are competitive, inclusive and future-oriented. 'He also expressed appreciation for the active involvement of the Cambodian Parliament in regional platforms such as AIPA, ahead of the ASEAN-AIPA Leaders' Interface scheduled to be held in Kuala Lumpur on May 26, 2025. 'This meeting further strengthens the belief that close relations between parliamentary institutions can open up broader and more meaningful cooperation, thereby making ASEAN a dynamic, stable and people-centred regional bloc,' the statement said. -- BERNAMA
