Latest news with #Aipa
The Star
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Aipa pushes for women, youth empowerment in Asean nation-building
KUALA LUMPUR: Women and youth must be given greater space in leadership, politics and decision-making processes, says Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (Aipa) president Tan Sri Johari Abdul. "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%, and in the education sector as well,' he told reporters after the Asean Leaders' Interface with Representatives of Aipa, held on the sidelines of the 46th Asean Summit on Monday (May 26). 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.
New Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Asean leaders push for women's bigger role in nation-building
KUALA LUMPUR: Asean leaders have called for greater involvement of women in the region's nation-building efforts, says Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul. Speaking at a press conference today, he said Malaysian women had made significant strides in certain sectors, particularly the public service and education. "Women account for more than 50 per cent of the workforce in the public and education sectors, and at universities, female students significantly outnumber their male counterparts," he added. Johari was addressing the media following the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (Aipa) interface chaired by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. However, despite this progress, Johari said that women's representation in other areas, especially politics, remained limited compared to several other countries. "This is an area where we aim to make progress — by increasing the participation of young women and encouraging them to be more active," he added. The interface, held in conjunction with the 46th Asean Summit, reaffirmed the strong commitment of Asean member states and Aipa parliaments to deepening cooperation in building an inclusive, sustainable, and people-centred Asean. In a separate statement, the Parliament office said that Aipa recognised the importance of empowering all segments of society, with particular focus on women and youth. It said recent engagements — including the 4th Meeting of the Coordinating Committee of Women Parliamentarians of Aipa (Waipa) and the 2nd Consultative Meeting of Young Parliamentarians of Aipa (YPA) — reinforced the need for gender-balanced representation and forward-looking policies to strengthen the region. On the economic and environmental front, Aipa stressed the importance of enhanced legislative support to accelerate digital integration, promote sustainable technological infrastructure, and encourage green finance and investment. It welcomed ongoing initiatives such as the Asean Digital Integration Framework and reaffirmed its commitment to tackling non-traditional security challenges including climate change, food security, and energy resilience. In line with the Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, Aipa reiterated its firm support for peace, respect for international law, and regional stability. It called for continued dialogue and diplomacy to address geopolitical challenges in areas such as Myanmar, the South China Sea, Gaza, and Ukraine. Aipa members of parliament also urged governments and legislatures to move forward in unity towards building a peaceful, inclusive, and resilient Asean, where development is equitable and all voices contribute to shaping the region's shared future.
The Star
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Asean parliaments must be key partner in advancing community-building agenda, says Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: The Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (Aipa) should serve as an instrumental partner in advancing Asean's community-building agenda, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar emphasised that as an instrumental partner, Aipa will play a pivotal role in facilitating the realisation of the people's aspirations, driving progress across Asean's three foundational pillars, and enhancing the region's preparedness and resilience. He said national parliaments and congresses are at the forefront of promoting inclusive growth and building a sustainable Asean community, as their decisions significantly shape regional negotiation and policy-making. "Every decision made by Parliament or Congress will inevitably affect the course of the negotiation. That's why I want to point out that Aipa should be encouraged and exposed to the workings and materials of Asean,' Anwar said this in his opening remarks at the Asean Leaders' Interface With Representatives Of Aipa session today, held as part of the ongoing 46th Asean Summit. Also present was Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul, who is also the 46th Aipa president. Anwar also encouraged Aipa's continued commitment on food security, climate change, digital transformation, and inclusive economic development, among others. "At the same time, the voice of the people, expressed through their elected representatives, must be counted in every decision that shapes our region,' he said. The 46th Asean Summit is being held under Malaysia's 2025 Chairmanship theme, "Inclusivity and Sustainability.' This marks Malaysia's fifth term as Asean Chair, following previous chairmanships in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015. In conjunction with the summit, two pivotal high-level engagements -- the 2nd Asean-GCC Summit and the inaugural Asean-GCC-China Summit -- will be convened, serving as strategic platforms to advance regional and inter-regional cooperation. - Bernama
New Straits Times
26-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Anwar: Aipa crucial to advancing Asean's next chapter
KUALA LUMPUR: The Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (Aipa) should be further encouraged to enhance parliamentarians' understanding of Asean's mechanisms across member states, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. As Asean advances into a new chapter of its community-building efforts, he said deeper engagement between Aipa and lawmakers would not only benefit national legislatures, but also strengthen regional cooperation and alignment on issues affecting the people. In his keynote address at the Asean Leaders' Interface with Aipa representatives today, Anwar said that Aipa had gone to great lengths during this session to address several key issues, including food security, climate change, digital transformation, and inclusive economic development. "On behalf of my counterparts, I wish to express our sincere appreciation for the initiatives undertaken, which will be of immense value not only to the House but also to its members and elected representatives," he said. "Every decision made by a parliament or congress has a significant impact on the direction of our nations. Many of my colleagues have also expressed the view that Aipa should be encouraged to provide greater exposure to our parliamentarians on Asean's inner workings." Anwar also said that, as Asean continues its community-building journey, Aipa would serve as a vital partner in realising the people's aspirations, advancing progress across the three core pillars, and enhancing Asean's resilience and readiness for future challenges. The 14th Asean-Aipa Interface offers a strategic platform to align regional priorities through inclusive, multi-stakeholder governance. Centred on the theme "Parliament at the Forefront for Inclusive Growth and a Sustainable Asean", the Interface highlights the critical role of parliamentary institutions in supporting Malaysia's Asean chairmanship agenda focused on inclusivity and sustainability.
