Latest news with #Asean-Malaysia
The Star
08-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
‘We will be cautious with US tariffs'
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia will adopt a cautious and prudent approach in addressing the tariff issue concerning the United States, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (pic). He said the government will prioritise diplomatic negotiations and regional cooperation in all of its efforts. 'This approach is being implemented calmly and in a balanced manner, with the main goal of protecting the nation's interests and ensuring the continuity of economic growth,' he said in a statement yesterday. Malaysia is among 18 countries that have been able to enter into discussions with the United States on the reciprocal tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump on April 2. The tariffs included a sweeping 10% baseline duty on all countries and a steeper 24% levy specifically on Malaysian goods. As the Asean Chair this year, Anwar said Malaysia is playing an active role in strengthening relations with the United States as well as other major trading partners such as China and the European Union. 'At the same time, the government is exploring new trade opportunities with rapidly developing economies like Russia and Brazil, as part of efforts to diversify the country's export markets,' he said. This approach, Anwar added, is in line with the nation's medium-term economic strategy, which focuses on macroeconomic stability, the resilience of global trade, and increasing foreign direct investment in order to ensure inclusive and sustainable prosperity for all citizens. In a separate statement, Anwar said he had carried out a site visit on the preparations for the 46th Asean Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre '(I) conducted a site visit for the 46th Asean Summit and chaired the Special Asean-Malaysia chairmanship meeting. 'With just days left before the summit takes place, I emphasised the need for every ministry and agency involved to streamline their preparations to ensure the event runs smoothly. 'As Chair, it is our responsibility to ensure that the hosting and every discussion held will deliver positive outcomes for all member states, God willing,' he said. The 46th Asean Summit, which will be held on May 26 and 27, will bring together 10 leaders of Asean member states to discuss regional issues and foster economic cooperation as well as champion the principles of inclusiveness and sustainability. Malaysia took over the Asean Chair on Jan 1 from Laos with the theme of 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', reflecting the country's aspiration to build a united and prosperous Asean. This is the fifth time Malaysia assumes Asean Chairmanship after holding the position in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.
The Star
08-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Tok Mat: Malaysia must stay neutral, engage with all sides
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia must not take the side of any country, as its economy largely depends on trade, says Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (pic). He said as a trading nation, the country must always ensure it maintained balanced relations and is in a position that benefitted its interests. 'When China and the United States are not aligned (with each other), they will come to us and this will benefit Malaysia. 'So we must be seen as a nation that can engage with any country and able to engage with all sides,' he said at the closing ceremony of the Asean-Malaysia security exercise yesterday. Mohamad, who recently attended the BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, said he made Malaysia's position clear to the grouping's member countries. 'At the meeting, we said that Malaysia's position is not to take sides. 'For current issues such as tariffs imposed by the United States, we sent our ministers to directly engage with the officials,' he said. On another matter, the Foreign Minister expressed confidence on the preparedness among national security agencies ahead of the 46th Asean Summit. He also reminded all parties to ensure the smooth organisation of the summit, to be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC). 'While I am satisfied with the level of preparedness, we must not take security matters lightly. 'Business is not as usual. The global situation today is very complex. Do not underestimate the importance of security,' he said, Bernama reported. Staying alert: A special police force performing a demonstration at the closing ceremony of 'Latih Amal Keselamatan Kepengerusian Asean-Malaysia 2025' at KL Convention Centre. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star The summit, set for May 26-27, will bring together leaders from the grouping's 10-member states to discuss regional issues, foster economic cooperation and advance the principles of inclusivity and sustainability. Meanwhile, the National Security Council (NSC) said the exercise was aimed at ensuring national security agencies are at their highest state of readiness to respond to any potential crisis during the summit. In a statement, the council said that 26 government entities –including ministries, departments and agencies – were directly involved in the drill, which tested the emergency response plan, communication efficiency, coordination, and inter-agency response alignment.
The Star
06-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
PM inspects preparations for 46th Asean Summit
KUALA LUMPUR, May 6 -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim listens intently as Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan briefs him during an inspection of preparations for the Asean Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. -- fotoBERNAMA (2025) COPYRIGHT RESERVED KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim carried out an inspection on the preparations for the 46th Asean Summit at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC). The Prime Minister's arrival at 3.30pm on Tuesday (May 6) was received by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Foreign Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin. Also present to inspect the preparations were Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and Transport Minister Anthony Loke. Also present was Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain. Anwar also visited the Asean-Malaysia 2025 Chairmanship Security Training Centre. Tuesday is the second day of the training session held following the National Security Council (MKN)'s move to activate the Crisis Management Team with security agencies to strengthen defence, national security and public order throughout the Asean-Malaysia Chairmanship 2025. The training session comprises three phases, namely the Mind Diplomat Symposium held yesterday, followed by the 'Table Top Exercise' (TTX), which is a simulated discussion held today, then followed by the 'Field Training Exercise' (FTX), which is about simulations and demonstrations tomorrow. The 46th Asean Summit, which will be held on May 26 and 27 will bring together 10 leaders of Asean member states to discuss regional issues and foster economic cooperation as well as champion the principles of inclusiveness and sustainability. Malaysia took over the Asean Chairmanship on January 1, 2025 from Laos with the theme of Inclusivity and Sustainability, reflecting the country's aspiration to build a united and prosperous Asean. This is the fifth time Malaysia assumes Asean Chairmanship after holding the position in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.- Bernama
