Latest news with #Asean-related
The Star
18 hours ago
- General
- The Star
City Hall's vision for Kuala Lumpur includes easy movement via connected parks, rivers, urban forests
Kuala Lumpur Greening Plan: Park Connector Network project being launched in Wangsa Maju by Maimunah (left) along with representatives from Asean countries who were in Kuala Lumpur to participate in several Asean-related meetings in the city. — Courtesy photo KUALA LUMPUR is going greener in a big way, rolling out a 'green connector' network that will link parks, rivers and urban forests across the city. The project by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) aims to improve air quality, boost biodiversity and give residents more connected green spaces in which to walk and cycle. It will also create a natural habitat for urban wildlife. Under Kuala Lumpur Local Plan 2040 (PTKL2040), 256km of connectors will be built in three phases – quick wins in the first two years, medium-term works over five years and long-term projects over the next decade. 'Funding will come from a mix of federal and local government allocations, international green grants, private sector corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts and endowment funds. 'Upgrades will include pedestrian and cycling paths with solar-powered lights, closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, rest stops and public WiFi, as well as landscaping with shady trees and greenery suited to each zone,' DBKL said in a statement. The network will be split into six zones – Upper Sanctuary, North East Loop, Vital Hub, South Suburb Loop, West Urban Loop and West Hill Loop. The plan also covers upgrading 26 major roads, rebranding 17 public parks, beautifying 14 river reserves, improving 44 pocket parks (25 existing and 19 new) and upgrading six retention ponds. The 'Kuala Lumpur Greening Plan: Park Connector Network' project was launched along the Sungai Bunus stretch in Wangsa Maju by Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif. The event was also attended by representatives from Asean countries who were in Kuala Lumpur to participate in the Asean Governors and Mayors Forum (AGMF), the Asean Sustainable Urbanisation Forum (ASUF) and the Meeting of Governors and Mayors of Asean Capitals (MGMAC). The ceremony was enlivened with a tree-planting session by representatives from all Asean capitals. DBKL added that the initiative would set a new regional benchmark in urban green infrastructure.
The Star
5 days ago
- Lifestyle
- The Star
Merdeka Fun Run celebrates cultural unity in style
KUALA LUMPUR: Hundreds turned up in traditional wear at the KL-Car Free Morning yesterday, injecting vibrant colours and bringing much fanfare to the normally busy Jalan Raja Laut. Participants arrived to take part in the Merdeka Fun Run 2025 held in conjunction with the celebration of the 68th National Day. Organised by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), the event also featured a cultural parade with Asean delegates. Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif said besides encouraging a healthy lifestyle, the programme was also aimed at showcasing unity and cultural diversity in Malaysia and South-East Asia. 'Seeing people of all backgrounds come together is a reminder of the significance of urban areas, which is to serve as a shared space for communities. 'Dressed in various traditional wear such as baju kurung, kebaya and batik, the parade underscores our diversity which is a cause for celebration,' she said. Accompanied by representatives and diplomats from various embassies, she flagged off the participants at around 7am before taking a group stroll to a nearby shopping centre. The event was made merrier by various cultural performances by the DBKL Culture, Arts and Sports Department. DBKL said the programme was a prelude to three Asean-related dialogues slated to take place from Aug 12 to 14. The KL Car-Free Morning initiative takes place every Sunday, from 7am to 9am.
Bangkok Post
04-08-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Asean's charm offensive in full swing
In what can only be described as a stunning diplomatic move, US President Donald Trump has personally confirmed his attendance at the 47th Asean-related summits on Oct 26-28 in Kuala Lumpur. His early commitment made directly to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim breaks with protocol and represents a rare gesture of goodwill toward Asean. US presidents typically delay such confirmations until the last minute, often treating Asean events as an afterthought compared to bilateral or multilateral summits with higher strategic returns. Even when confirmed, the level of representation is frequently downgraded. With Mr Trump now expected in town, Malaysia can plan. Beyond the 13th Asean-US Summit, new initiatives and side events can be organised to capitalise on his presence. That said, Mr Trump is always prone to changing his mind. During his first term, Mr Trump's engagement with Asean was spotty at best. He attended only the 5th Asean-US Summit in November 2017 and left the East Asia Summit halfway through. This time, however, he appears to be rewarding Mr Anwar for brokering the Thai-Cambodian ceasefire deal. At a recent press conference, Mr Anwar publicly credited Mr Trump for the initiative. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai also expressed their gratitude. Asean leaders have since showered Mr Trump with praise, augmenting his ego. After all, "gaining face" is part of Asean's cultural DNA. Mr Trump's decision to attend is an acknowledgement of Asean as a pivotal regional group despite his preference for transactional engagement. The summit is expected to draw numerous heads of state. There would be one-on-one sideline meetings. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who shares decades of personal rapport with Mr Anwar, has been invited to attend the Asean summit. The Malaysian chair also plans to invite other influential guests to Kuala Lumpur. In his second term, having spent considerable time focused on Middle East diplomacy, Mr Trump may finally discover that Asean leaders are more cooperative and more pleasant to deal with. The Thai-Cambodian truce only materialised because of the region's diplomatic resilience, led by a Muslim leader mediating between two Buddhist-majority countries. For Mr Trump, this is a rare political opportunity that could bolster his resume for a Nobel Peace Prize nomination. To leave his mark on Asean, however, Mr Trump must surpass the record of his predecessor and political rival, President Barack Obama, who during his two terms (2008–2016) became one of the region's most popular Western leaders. Mr Obama attended seven Asean summits. Most memorably, during the 37th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur in 2015, he personally invited all Asean leaders to a special and stand-alone US-Asean summit at Sunnylands, California, in February 2016. That event was pulled together in just three months, which was amazingly fast by diplomatic standards. It also marked the first time that the US formally recognised Asean centrality in its official documents. Mr Trump could eclipse Mr Obama's Asean legacy through three straightforward steps. First of all, he could serve as the leading guarantor of peace and stability in the region. Branding himself the "President of Peace", Mr Trump could build on the Thai-Cambodian truce and offer his hand in other regional flashpoints. But it must be an Asean-led process. Secondly, he should revive the special US-Asean summit he had planned in Las Vegas during his first term but had to cancel due to Covid-19. The idea of gathering Asean leaders in Las Vegas -- a city with casinos -- holds a unique allure. It could be a soft-power spectacle to reinvigorate US-Asean ties. Finally, Mr Trump should restart the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative, the signature Obama-era program connecting over 60,000 young leaders across Asean and its dialogue partners. The initiative was shelved after his administration gutted USAID. Mr Trump can flip the script by relaunching it under a new name -- perhaps "Trump's Young Southeast Asian Leadership Initiative". If Mr Trump achieves these three goals, he could easily surpass Mr Obama's standing in Southeast Asia. A few well-placed words in Bahasa Malayu -- such as madani (civilised), terima kasih (thank you), and apa khabar (how are you) --would go a long way. Mr Obama endeared himself to Indonesians with similar linguistic gestures. And yes, lowering US tariffs -- still a steep 19% for Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, and the Philippines -- before arriving would not hurt either. With five months remaining in his Asean chairmanship, Mr Anwar must act swiftly to consolidate the bloc's credibility in crisis management. Top priority would be to make tangible progress on the four-and-a-half-year Myanmar quagmire. With renewed moral authority, Asean under Mr Anwar can engage more effectively with all Myanmar stakeholders to push for substantive progress for the Asean Five-Point Consensus. Myanmar's junta has announced plans to hold elections between late December and early January as part of its exit strategy. However, the international community has widely condemned the move as a facade to legitimise military rule. At the upcoming summit, the Asean chair can press for a more inclusive process, urging the junta to broaden participation. At the same time, dialogue among all parties must begin, though they remain deeply out of sync. Nay Pyi Taw, for its part, believes it can still hold the elections, which will reportedly cover 267 of Myanmar's 330 townships, roughly 80% of the country. It will rely on locally manufactured electronic voting machines. Resistance forces, however, reject the elections and still remain active in rural battlefields. Here, the Asean chair can enlist major powers -- particularly the US, China, India, and Russia -- to help push all parties toward dialogue and an eventual ceasefire. These dialogue partners and Asean will be essential in guaranteeing Myanmar's stability in the future. The recent ceasefire agreement between Myanmar and armed ethic groups was no mere optics as it was a carefully calibrated diplomatic moment. It helps demonstrate that Asean is not just a talk shop. Given the current fractured geopolitical landscape, the October summit is shaping up to be one of the most consequential in Asean history. The chair must use the opportunity presented by Mr Trump's presence and other global leaders to secure firm commitments that will reinforce Asean's strategic autonomy for years to come.
Business Times
14-07-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Singapore boosts support for Timor-Leste as it prepares to join Asean
[SINGAPORE] Singapore will step up its support of Timor-Leste's development of its government's capacity, as the region's youngest nation prepares to join Asean as a full member. The upgraded Singapore-Timor-Leste Asean Readiness Support (Stars) package, known as the enhanced Stars (eStars) package, will offer tailored assistance to help the South-east Asian nation meet requirements to join key Asean economic agreements. This was announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Monday (Jul 14) at a luncheon for visiting Timor-Leste President Xanana Gusmao. Gusmao is on an official four-day visit to Singapore, more than a decade after his first as prime minister in 2013. He received a ceremonial welcome on Jul 14 before meeting President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. Speaking at the lunch held at the Pan Pacific Hotel, Wong said the refreshed package will also include training aligned with Timor-Leste's national development priorities, as well as leadership development programmes and scholarships for its future leaders. Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Xanana Gusmao (right) was hosted to an official lunch by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at Pan Pacific Singapore on Jul 13. PHOTO: ST The eStars package, which runs from July 2025 to December 2028, will offer wider access to Asean-related training courses and expertise to support Timor-Leste's integration into the regional grouping. The first iteration of the Stars initiative formally began in 2022. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up Addressing Gusmao, PM Wong said: 'Timor-Leste's upcoming accession to Asean is a significant milestone, both for your country and for Asean. 'Singapore looks forward to welcoming you warmly to the Asean family. And we will continue to stand with you on this journey.' Speaking at the same event, Gusmao thanked Singapore for its support over the years, particularly in helping Timor-Leste prepare for Asean membership. He cited the training provided to Timorese civil servants in areas such as negotiation and policy writing, describing it as 'a real difference' that reflects cooperation 'measured not in words, but in actions'. Timor-Leste, with a population of 1.3 million, formally applied to join the regional grouping in 2011. It received in-principle endorsement in May, and its accession is expected to be formalised at the 47th Asean Summit in October. In his speech, PM Wong noted how Gusmao has long-standing ties with Singapore, and that it is proud to be a partner of Timor-Leste. 'We remember well your many contributions to Timor-Leste's journey – fighting for independence, unifying the country, and guiding your people through the early years of nation-building,' Wong said. He added that Singapore has 'stood in solidarity' with Timor Leste even before its independence. Wong noted that the Republic was among the first countries to participate in a multinational peacekeeping mission led by Australia in 1999. Timor-Leste gained independence in 2002, following a 1999 United Nations-sponsored referendum in which an overwhelming majority voted to break away from Indonesian rule. The vote was marred by violence from pro-integration militias, following decades of unrest and foreign occupation. Over the decade since Timor-Leste gained independence, more than a thousand Singapore personnel have worked alongside the Timorese people to provide humanitarian assistance, build institutions, and support its 'transition to peace and stability', PM Wong said. Bilateral ties between Singapore and Timor-Leste have grown steadily, with Singapore starting its embassy in the capital Dili in 2024 – 'a reflection of its commitment to deeper engagement', Wong said. Economic links between both sides are expanding, and Singapore companies are exploring opportunities in hospitality, real estate and other sectors, said PM Wong. He also noted that direct flights between the two countries have resumed, with a mutual visa waiver agreement implemented in 2024. Even prior to the Stars initiative started in 2022, more than 1,100 Timorese officials since 2002 have participated in courses under the Singapore Cooperation Programme, which is Singapore's flagship platform established in 1992 for technical assistance and capacity building for developing nations. These courses help to build capabilities across a range of areas, from public administration to language and communications. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement said President Tharman and PM Wong reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Timor-Leste's development through capacity building programmes, welcoming more Timorese officials to participate in the Singapore Cooperation Programme. As his country moves towards full Asean membership, Gusmao acknowledged the challenges ahead but emphasised that regional unity and solidarity are more important than ever in an increasingly unstable world. He noted how Singapore's development discipline and clarity of purpose was an example to nations, not only across the region but around the world. Singapore and Timor-Leste are countries of different cultures and histories, but both share a common spirit that their futures must be shaped by their people, said Gusmao. He also spoke about how both nations are diverse and multicultural, and said it was inspiring to see how Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasian communities coexist harmoniously in Singapore. Similarly, he shared how Timor-Leste draws strength from its indigenous roots, Portuguese legacy, and its many languages and traditions. 'This diversity is not a weakness. It is a source of unity, a quiet strength that holds our societies together,' he said. He said there is potential to deepen bilateral cooperation with Singapore, in areas such as tourism, education, infrastructure and investment. Highlighting Timor-Leste's natural beauty, from mountain ranges to tropical beaches rich in marine biodiversity, Gusmao said his country's Blue Economy strategy underscores its commitment to sustainability. 'We welcome partnerships that align with that vision. Not just investment, but collaboration, knowledge-sharing and mutual growth,' he said. PM Wong also thanked Gusmao and the government of Timor-Leste for a gift of 60 sandalwood saplings for Singapore's 60th year of independence. These saplings, he said, are a powerful symbol of how both countries can grow and thrive together in the years ahead – both bilaterally and in Asean. 'I assure you that Singapore will take good care of the saplings and make sure they grow into strong and sturdy trees; befitting of the enduring friendship between our two countries,' he said. THE STRAITS TIMES
Straits Times
09-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Malaysia will not retaliate against US tariffs as talks continue
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Mr Tengku Zafrul said Malaysia still had a few more weeks to negotiate the final terms of an agreement. Malaysia has no plans to retaliate against a 25 per cent tariff levied on its exports to the United States by Washington, its trade minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz said on July 9, saying he was 'still optimistic' about reaching a trade deal. Speaking in an interview at the Reuters Next Asia summit in Singapore, Mr Tengku Zafrul said Malaysia still had a few more weeks to negotiate the final terms of an agreement. 'I'm in touch with USTR (US Trade Representative) as recently as yesterday, and we all agreed that we could continue our negotiations, so we still have time,' he said. 'We are appreciative that the timeline has been extended to first of August,' he added. 'It gives me a bit more time to refine some of the discussion.' Malaysia, a key exporter of semiconductors and electronics, was slapped with a revised 25 per cent tariff on its exports to the United States, higher than the 24 per cent rate threatened in April before President Donald Trump called a 90-day pause. 'We have no plans to retaliate for now,' Mr Tengku Zafrul said. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on July 9 he will raise some of the tariff-related issues during his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio who is in Malaysia this week for Asean-related meetings. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore to hire 1,000 new educators annually in the next few years, up from 700 Singapore Pritam Singh's appeal against conviction, sentence over lying to Parliament set for Nov 4 Asia Why Japan and South Korea are on different paths in the latest US trade salvo World Trump says steep copper tariffs in store as he broadens his trade war Opinion Hyper-competitive classrooms feed the corporate world's narcissist pipeline Singapore Female primary school teacher allegedly committed sex acts with underage male student Singapore Man charged after he allegedly threw glass bottle at bus window, injuring passenger Singapore Police officer taken to hospital after motorcycle accident on PIE The State Department billed the trip as a first visit to Asia by America's top diplomat and a demonstration of Washington's commitment to the Indo-Pacific. 'Any unilateral tariffs will, of course, impact negatively on the economy of this country and this region. But we are still in the midst of negotiations,' Mr Anwar told reporters. Malaysia's trade ministry said on July 8 it was continuing discussions with US counterparts to address pending issues, clarify the scope and impact of the tariffs and pursue avenues for a timely conclusion to the talks. 'I am optimistic, especially in sectors that I feel there is a win-win,' Mr Tengku Zafrul said. Malaysia and other countries in Southeast Asia are among the hardest hit by Mr Trump's sweeping tariffs, as they rely on exports and manufacturing to drive economies collectively worth more than US$3.8 trillion (S$4.9 trillion), some helped by supply chain shifts from China. REUTERS
