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New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Mohamed Khaled holds trilateral talks ahead of Cambodia-Thailand border meeting
KUALA LUMPUR: Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin today held a trilateral meeting with his counterparts from Cambodia and Thailand in preparation for the upcoming General Border Committee (GBC) meeting between the two neighbouring countries on Aug 7. In a Facebook post, Mohamed Khaled said the virtual meeting was attended by Cambodia's Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Tea Seiha, as well as Thailand's Acting Defence Minister General Natthaphon Narkphanit. "This meeting marks an important step in preparing for the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) session scheduled to take place on Aug 7 in Kuala Lumpur. "With the spirit of Asean, Malaysia is fully committed to supporting a peaceful, Asean-led resolution process in line with our shared regional values," he said. The meeting was also joined by armed forces chief General Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar and Defence Ministry Deputy Secretary-General (Policy) Mohd Yani Daud. Mohamed Khaled said the GBC meeting will be attended by observers from Malaysia, the United States and China. Prior to the GBC session, representatives from Cambodia and Thailand will hold preliminary meetings from Aug 4 to 6. "These discussions reflect the parties' commitment to peaceful negotiations and constructive dialogue. "We hope this contributes to our shared responsibility to preserve peace and stability in the Asean region, and Malaysia stands ready to ensure smooth proceedings while supporting every step of this peace process in a neutral capacity," he added. Previously, the Malaysian armed forces confirmed it would facilitate the GBC meeting between Thailand and Cambodia in Kuala Lumpur from Aug 4 to 7. According to a statement from its Defence Strategic Communication and Intelligence Division, the GBC aims to resolve border disputes between the two nations as part of a ceasefire agreement signed in Malaysia on July 28. The meeting was initially scheduled to be held in Phnom Penh on Aug 4, but on July 31, Thailand proposed relocating it to Malaysia as a neutral venue and extending the discussion period beyond the originally planned single day. – Bernama
New Straits Times
29-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Asean cannot afford division, says Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: Asean must remain united and resilient, as the success of its member states depends on the strength of the region, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. He said in an era of rising polarisation, Asean must use its influence to promote dialogue, diplomacy and strategic trust, while creating genuine opportunities for cooperation. "The journey ahead will be fraught with challenges. Asean needs to do more to ensure its cohesiveness in both articulation and action as a clear manifestation of centrality. "We must also uphold our time-honoured geostrategic construct of Zopfan (the Asean Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality) ... and double down on Asean-led mechanisms, including the East Asia Summit, Asean Plus Three and Asean Regional Forum. "Asean cannot control the global currents, nor can we dictate terms to the world. Nonetheless, we can chart our own future for the better with courage, foresight and determination." "In doing so, we will ensure that the benefits of Asean integration are truly realised, bringing value to our people and future generations," he said in his policy speech on Asean, during his visit to the Asean Secretariat today.
New Straits Times
28-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Abim: Ceasefire shows Malaysia's strength in conflict mediation
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (Abim) has welcomed the ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, describing it as a significant diplomatic achievement under Malaysia's leadership as Asean chair. In a statement today, Abim extended its highest commendation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his role in brokering the deal, which takes effect at midnight. The ceasefire is expected to de-escalate rising tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border, which have already led to casualties and threatened regional stability. The ceasefire was announced following a special meeting between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, hosted by Anwar at Kompleks Seri Perdana in Putrajaya. Abim's president Ahmad Fahmi Mohd Samsudin said the success reaffirmed Asean's relevance as a regional conflict resolution platform and underscored Malaysia's ability to unite member states with the backing of global powers such as the United States and China, who co-sponsored the talks. "Abim applauds Malaysia's proactive role in restoring regional stability through principled, inclusive, and effective diplomatic engagement," he said. Abim urged these powers to continue supporting Asean's peace-first approach and to avoid exploiting regional tensions for strategic gain. "It also called for respect for regional leadership and efforts to strengthen local capacity in resolving disputes with sovereignty and dignity," he said in a statement. The group urged all parties to honour the ceasefire and halt any further acts of armed provocation. It also proposed the formation of an independent and neutral Asean-led monitoring team to ensure smooth implementation of the truce. "As a show of regional solidarity, Asean humanitarian aid must be delivered urgently to all affected communities, particularly displaced families and those who have lost loved ones or homes in the conflict." Abim appealed to the people of both countries, including social media users, to refrain from spreading hate speech, provocation or unfounded allegations that could undermine efforts towards peace. As part of its ongoing commitment to peacebuilding, Abim said it would continue working with civil society networks across the region to promote dialogue, assist victims of conflict, and ensure that the voices of ordinary people are included in peace efforts. The group also proposed the formation of an Asean Civil Society Conference for Regional Peace and an Asean Peace Education Programme, aimed at youth and communities in border areas.
Straits Times
28-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Truce between Cambodia and Thailand secured under Asean chair Malaysia, but can it hold?
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Deal reflects Asean's reliance on external pressure and proactive chairmanship rather than robust institutional mechanisms, say observers. (From left) Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Thai acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai after a special meeting in Kuala Lumpur on July 28. SINGAPORE – Asean notched a diplomatic win on July 28, with chair Malaysia securing a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia after deadly border clashes left more than 30 dead and raised fears of further escalation. The breakthrough, announced after a special meeting in Kuala Lumpur hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, is victory for the grouping, whose relevance has been increasingly questioned amid inaction on other regional challenges. But observers say that whether this will translate into lasting peace remains far from certain. The conflict had simmered since May, with deadly clashes erupting since July 24 t hat killed over 30 people, mostly civilians. Just hours before the ceasefire took effect at midnight on July 29, diplomatic pressure intensified, led by Malaysia and strongly backed by both the United States and China. The t alks were hastened after US President Donald Trump warned on July 27 that Washington would not pursue trade deals with either side until the violence stopped. Both Thailand and Cambodia face the prospect of a 36 per cent US tariff from Aug 1. China also played an active role. Beijing on July 24 expressed concern over the fighting and pledged to promote dialogue, de-escalation and peace. Both the US and China were present at the July 28 meeting, which Malaysia said was co-organised by Washington, with Beijing's active participation. Analysts say the agreement reflects a successful case of Asean-led diplomacy, but also highlights the grouping's reliance on external pressure and proactive chairmanship rather than robust institutional mechanisms. Dr Mustafa Izzuddin, a senior international affairs analyst at business consultancy Solaris Strategies Singapore, said that the ceasefire can be billed an Asean success. 'Malaysia's leadership was crucial as the organisation's chair to mediate between Thailand and Cambodia, while also leveraging on the importance of China and the US, both dialogue partners of Asean, to further reaffirm that this ceasefire can be brought into fruition,' he said. Under the agreement, both sides committed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. The peace roadmap also includes informal meetings between military commanders, and a g eneral b order c ommittee session scheduled for Aug 4. Malaysia, in its capacity as Asean chair, offered to coordinate an observer team and consult fellow member states about participating, a move aimed at providing regional support for verification. But experts caution that implementation may prove difficult, given the grouping's lack of enforcement tools. 'A ceasefire is an immediate and very short-term solution. What is more important is for the ceasefire to hold in the long run while Cambodia and Thailand negotiate their border disputes,' said Dr Abdul Rahman Yaacob, a research fellow at the Lowy Institute think-tank. 'One possible mechanism is the deployment of Malaysia n or Asean observers along the Thai-Cambodia border. This is critical, given the strategic mistrust between (the two sides).' Observers note that Asean lacks a standing peacekeeping force or formal verification tools. Previous attempts to introduce monitoring mechanisms, such as Indonesia's proposal to send observers during the 2011 Preah Vihear clashes, were rejected, primarily over sovereignty concerns. That earlier conflict between Cambodia and Thailand also ended in a ceasefire, but tensions persisted for years. 'The biggest risks lie in lingering distrust and potential miscommunication along contested border areas, and the absence of any formal verification mechanism,' said Ms Joanne Lin, senior fellow at the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. 'Asean does not have institutional tools like independent observers or peace monitors to oversee implementation on the ground.' These limitations raise broader questions about how Asean handles internal conflict. Some experts warn that without follow-up action, the grouping may revert to inaction once the immediate crisis fades. 'The outcome was driven largely by Malaysia's personal diplomacy and strong external pressure, rather than any institutional mechanism within Asean,' said Ms Lin, referring to the ceasefire. 'Without efforts to institutionalise these crisis response lessons, the group risks falling back into passivity.' Dr Rahman echoed this, saying the group has the capacity to maintain peace – if political will exists. But he added that an Asean-led ceasefire is more acceptable than one imposed by external powers, and said the grouping has provided its two conflicting members with a familiar platform to discuss a ceasefire and resolve the crisis. Others also framed the breakthrough as a significant win for Malaysia's diplomacy. Mr Adib Zalkapli, managing director of geopolitical consultancy Viewfinder Global Affairs, said that it showed how Malaysia can step up and play an important role in maintaining peace in the region. Domestically, the deal may also offer a brief political boost to Datuk Seri Anwar. 'Anwar of course scores some brownie points in brokering this peace that could potentially offset some of his domestic political troubles,' said Dr Oh Ei Sun, senior fellow at think-tank Singapore Institute of International Affairs. Still, observers agree the coming weeks will determine whether the ceasefire holds and whether Asean can rise to the challenge of sustaining peace. 'While holding the talks can be seen as a success, there will not be easy solutions to this long-standing issue,' said Dr Bridget Welsh, honorary research associate at the University of Nottingham Asia Research Institute Malaysia. For a group long criticised for its inaction on crises like Myanmar and the South China Sea, the truce offers a chance to prove its relevance and if it can maintain the momentum. 'The real test now lies in verifying the ceasefire and whether Asean can follow through with implementing its own peace mechanisms,' said Ms Lin. The ceasefire, as much of a win as it is, is a fragile one because ground realities suggest that it could readily break down, said Dr Mustafa. 'So it is incumbent on the political leaderships of both Cambodia and Thailand to maintain the ceasefire by not succumbing to domestic political pressures, and on Malaysia as the honest broker to remind both countries about their bilateral obligations in keeping the peace,' he said.
New Straits Times
15-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
RCEP and the future of Asean's economy: Between potential and pitfalls
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), signed on Nov 15, 2020 and entering into force on Jan 1, 2022, is the world's largest free trade agreement (FTA). It brings together all 10 Asea member states with five of their FTA partners — China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand — into a comprehensive trade bloc encompassing around 2.2 billion people and 30 per cent of the world's gross domestic product (GDP) and global trade. RCEP is a landmark Asean-led initiative that aims to harmonise and deepen existing Asean+1 FTAs under a unified, modern, and inclusive framework. With 20 chapters, including trade in goods, services, investment, intellectual property, e-commerce, competition, SMEs and dispute settlement, RCEP is expected to catalyse trade flows, strengthen regional value chains (RVCs) and boost post-pandemic economic recovery. Does RCEP genuinely empower Asean economies? Or does it risk reinforcing asymmetrical benefits that favour larger, more developed partners? WHAT MAKES RCEP UNIQUE? Unlike agreements such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) or the EU Single Market, RCEP reflects Asean's distinct model of "soft regionalism": voluntary, flexible and consensus-based. It is designed not to impose deep political integration or rigid regulatory convergence but instead to create a pragmatic and inclusive economic partnership adaptable to development diversity among member states. RCEP's key innovations include: (1) Consolidated Rules of Origin (RoO): A single RoO framework that simplifies trade documentation and reduces compliance costs, thus enabling firms to source inputs from across RCEP countries without losing preferential access. (2) Differential Tariff Concessions: These allow flexibility for countries to maintain sensitive sector protections while still advancing gradual liberalisation. (3) Special and Differential Treatment (SDT): Targeted support for Least Developed Countries (LDCs) within Asean—especially Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV)—to facilitate their integration into regional trade. (4) Living Agreement Structure: RCEP includes institutional mechanisms (e.g., RCEP Joint Committee, subcommittees) to review and expand the agreement's scope to address emerging challenges like digital trade, climate change and pandemics. However, RCEP remains modest in ambition in areas like labour protections, environmental standards, data flows and state-owned enterprise (SOE) disciplines—areas where the CPTPP sets higher benchmarks. Critics argue that without stronger commitments in these domains, RCEP's long-term contribution to sustainable development may be limited. BENEFITS AND RISKS FOR ASEAN: STRATEGIC LEVERAGE OR UNEQUAL PROMISE? In principle, RCEP offers numerous strategic advantages to Asean: (1) Enhanced Economic Centrality: Asean remains at the centre of the agreement's architecture, reinforcing its convening power and diplomatic relevance in the Indo-Pacific. (2) Trade and Investment Gains: According to CGE simulations (Itakura, 2022), Asean countries stand to experience notable gains in GDP, exports and welfare by 2035, especially under scenarios that include tariff reductions, trade facilitation and services liberalisation. (3) SME and GVC Participation: The agreement promotes inclusive integration by helping SMEs join RVCs through simplified customs procedures and regional trade facilitation. Yet, benefits will be asymmetrical. Countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam, already integrated into global value chains (GVCs) and possessing strong digital infrastructure, are well-positioned to benefit early and significantly. Conversely, CLMV countries with weaker institutional capacity, infrastructure deficits and limited trade readiness may struggle to fully leverage RCEP without capacity-building support. Moreover, the pandemic and the US-China trade war have exposed Asean's dependency on external markets. There is growing concern that RCEP could entrench such dependencies further, particularly on China, unless balanced by internal Asean Economic Community (AEC) integration. KEY ENABLERS OF SUCCESS FOR ASEAN To transform RCEP from a legal agreement into a transformative engine for inclusive growth, Asean must prioritise the following policy enablers. 1. Domestic Readiness and Reform (a) Upgrade trade infrastructure and adopt paperless trade systems. (b) Strengthen digital and human capital, particularly for SMEs and underserved populations. (c) Encourage private sector engagement and public-private partnerships (PPPs). 2. Deepening Asean Economic Community (AEC) Integration (a) Eliminate non-tariff barriers (NTBs), harmonise standards and streamline customs procedures. (b) Strengthen intra-Asean connectivity and production networks. (c) Develop unified digital and green standards to align Asean with future trade demands. 3. Digital and Services Integration (a) Expand the scope of digital trade rules within RCEP by advocating for stronger provisions on cross-border data flows, cybersecurity and digital inclusion. (b) Enhance services liberalisation through a negative-list approach and stronger regulatory frameworks. (c) Support skills upgrading for workers in ICT-enabled and high-value services sectors. 4. Institutional Governance and Implementation Monitoring (a) Empower the RCEP Joint Committee and subcommittees to carry out robust implementation reviews. (b) Create inclusive, transparent and participatory mechanisms to monitor RCEP's impact on SMEs, women, informal workers and rural communities. (c) Provide technical assistance and dispute resolution access for smaller and less developed member states. ASEAN LEADERSHIP AT AMM 58: WHAT MUST BE DONE Strong political direction is needed to steer RCEP implementation toward equitable outcomes. Recommended actions include: (1) Establish a Regional RCEP Implementation Taskforce under the Asean Secretariat to assess commitments, facilitate peer learning, and enhance transparency. (2) Create an Asean RCEP Transition Fund, contributed by more advanced economies, to support institutional capacity-building, regulatory reform, and infrastructure enhancement in CLMV countries. (3) Reaffirm Asean Centrality in RCEP Governance, ensuring the Asean Secretariat works closely with RCEP institutional bodies to steer policy alignment and manage tensions between large partners. (4) Mainstream Sustainability and Inclusivity, embedding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), gender equality, labour safeguards, and environmental sustainability into RCEP's evolving work programme. BETWEEN OPPORTUNITY AND TEST RCEP is a reflection of Asean's ability to lead regional integration in an era of fractured globalisation. It offers a unique opportunity to bridge development gaps, modernise economies and reassert Asean's relevance in global economic governance. But it also poses a test of political will and institutional coherence. Without urgent reforms, the agreement may inadvertently deepen regional inequalities and reinforce asymmetric dependencies. The success of RCEP, therefore, depends on Asean's commitment to leadership, solidarity, and shared prosperity. The message from Kuala Lumpur must then be bold and clear: Asean does not merely seek a seat at the table but it aims to lead, shape and humanise the future of regional economic integration.
