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Sinar Daily
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Sinar Daily
AGC denies claims Anwar's pardon was invalid
Anwar had been granted a full pardon by the Pardons Board for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya, which convened on May 16, 2018. 03 Jun 2025 06:47pm Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim - Photo by Bernama KUALA LUMPUR - The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) today denied that the pardon granted to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was invalid. In a statement, the AGC said this was because Anwar had been granted a full pardon by the Pardons Board for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya, which convened on May 16, 2018. "The AGC affirms that the 51st Meeting of the Pardons Board for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya was held on Wednesday, May 16, 2018, at 11 am at Istana Negara, Kuala Lumpur. "The meeting was chaired by His Majesty the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V, and was also attended, among others, by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad himself, who was the Prime Minister at the time,' the AGC stated. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim - Photo by Bernama According to the statement, based on the advice of the Pardons Board, Sultan Muhammad V consented to the granting of a full pardon to Anwar, along with his immediate release, effective from the date of the Pardons Board meeting. The statement added that for the purpose of the meeting, the Attorney General had also provided a written opinion on the matter in accordance with Clause (9), Article 42 of the Federal Constitution for the Pardons Board's consideration. Therefore, the AGC refuted the remarks made by Dr Mahathir, in which the former Prime Minister publicly claimed that the pardon was invalid as it did not go through a proper Pardons Board proceeding. In this connection, the AGC views the matter seriously as it involves constitutional and institutional interests. "The AGC also emphasises that any statement that could mislead the public regarding the decision of the Pardons Board is completely inappropriate,' the statement said. - BERNAMA More Like This
The Sun
27-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
ASEAN Summit a testament to regional unity and shared aspiration
KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, today expressed the nation's profound honour in hosting the 46th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, describing the gatherings as a reflection of the region's collective commitment to peace, prosperity and partnership both within ASEAN and beyond. In his remarks during a Royal Luncheon held at Istana Negara in conjunction with the summits today, Sultan Ibrahim noted that the convening of the summits comes at a pivotal time amid growing global complexities. 'These summits come at a time of growing complexity in the world. It is my hope that ASEAN and its partners will continue to stand together in unity and mutual respect, to build a future that is inclusive, resilient, and forward-looking,' said Sultan Ibrahim. His Majesty also extended a warm welcome to all ASEAN leaders, as well as leaders from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China, underscoring Malaysia's commitment to fostering deeper regional and inter-regional ties. 'I wish all delegates fruitful deliberations and successful outcomes. May your time here further strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation that unite us. 'Once again, I warmly welcome you to Malaysia. Though Your Majesty, Your Highnesses and Excellencies may only be here briefly, I hope you will find time to enjoy our Malaysian hospitality,' His Majesty said. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was also present at the Royal Luncheon. Among the ASEAN leaders attending were Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao of Timor-Leste was also in attendance. From the GCC, the dignitaries included Bahrain's Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Kuwait's Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, and Omani Deputy Prime Minister Sayyid Asaad bin Tarik al Said, as well as Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Farhan Al Saud, and United Arab Emirates Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi. China was represented by Premier Li Qiang. The 46th ASEAN Summit, which began yesterday at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, continues today with the 2nd ASEAN-GCC Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit. These high-level dialogues bring together leaders from member states to deliberate on regional developments and chart the future direction of the regional grouping. The 46th ASEAN Summit is held under the ASEAN 2025 Chairmanship theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', and this year marks the fifth time Malaysia is chairing ASEAN, following its previous chairmanships in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.
New Straits Times
27-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Landmark Asean-GCC-China summit takes place today
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's iconic capital continues to be in the international diplomatic spotlight as the 46th Asean Summit and Related Summits enter their final day today. The day's highlights include two high-level meetings, namely the 2nd Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural Asean-GCC-China Summit, which aim to strengthen regional and inter-regional cooperation. GCC secretary-general Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi said that strategic cooperation with Asean member states, along with efforts to resolve the Gaza conflict and the broader Palestinian issue, will be among the main focus areas for the GCC at the second summit. Meanwhile, the trilateral summit, a new initiative by Malaysia as Asean 2025 Chair, seeks to strengthen economic cooperation among Asean, the GCC and China. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the summit symbolises the power of cohesiveness of regional blocs, which will have a positive impact on the world at large, while contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable future for the region and the people. The summit is expected to outline new strategies in trade, investment, development, sustainable infrastructure and regional digitalisation. The combined economies of Asean, the GCC, and China have now reached nearly US$25 trillion, with a total population exceeding two billion. Separately, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, will host a Royal Luncheon for visiting dignitaries at Istana Negara. Other key events today include the 16th Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit and the 16th Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) Summit. Several bilateral meetings between Malaysia and visiting nations, including Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are also scheduled on the sidelines of the summits. Among the Asean leaders attending today's events are the Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet, Laos' Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Also attending are Timor-Leste's Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao as Observer, and Asean secretary-general Dr Kao Kim Hourn. They will be joined by China's Premier Li Qiang, Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Bahrain's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman Hamad Al Khalifa and Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. Oman's Deputy Prime Minister Sayyid Asaad bin Tarik al Said, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Farhan Al Saud and UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi will also be in attendance. The 46th Asean Summit and Related Summits will conclude with a news conference by Anwar and an official dinner of the Asean-GCC-China Economic Forum. On Monday, Asean leaders endorsed the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Asean Community Vision 2045, an important document that will steer the bloc towards greater integration and the building of a more resilient, innovative, dynamic and people-centred regional community over the next two decades.
The Star
25-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Ministerial meetings to set tone for 46th Asean Summit and Related Summits
Malaysia is organising not only an Asean Summit this week, but a series of summits around the 46th Asean Summit while retaining Asean centrality. — Bernama KUALA LUMPUR: Sunday (May 25) marks a full day of high-level Asean Ministerial Meetings in Kuala Lumpur that will set the tone for the 46th Asean Summit and Related Summits scheduled for May 26-27. The series of meetings, held under Malaysia's chairmanship of Asean 2025 themed "Inclusivity and Sustainability', will see ministers convene to discuss Asean's strategic priorities, regional security, economic integration and external relations. Kicking off the day is the Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) chaired by Malaysia's Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, where key issues such as maritime security, Myanmar and Asean's global engagement will be on the agenda. Timor-Leste is scheduled to participate as an observer as it advances toward full Asean membership. Also on the schedule is the 29th Asean Political-Security Community (APSC) Council Meeting, where ministers will assess cooperation on human rights, cybersecurity, maritime governance and countering transnational threats. Another important meeting today is the 36th Asean Coordinating Council (ACC) Meeting that focuses on institutional coordination, final preparations for summit declarations, and progress on the post-2025 Asean Community Vision. Meanwhile, the 25th Asean Economic Community Council (AECC) Meeting will spotlight efforts to boost digital transformation, trade facilitation and green economy transitions to strengthen Asean's position as a global economic force while addressing internal disparities and future disruptions. In a major inter-regional engagement, the Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministerial Meeting will take place concurrently, aimed at expanding collaboration in sectors like energy security, logistics, Islamic finance and food supply chains. The meeting reflects Asean's broader efforts to diversify partnerships and enhance resilience in an increasingly multipolar global economy. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has outlined a bold vision for regional growth, highlighting stronger economic integration, trade expansion, and cross-border energy connectivity as key pillars of Malaysia's Asean chairmanship this year. He said that amid growing global geopolitical competition, Malaysia is committed to driving Asean beyond its traditional role as a neutral platform towards becoming a more cohesive, values-driven force in the Indo-Pacific. "As part of our thrust this year, we are focusing on strengthening Asean's cohesiveness, increasing economic interest and trade, and boosting investments among member countries,' he said during a briefing session related to the Asean Summit 2025 with editors-in-chief of local and international media at the Seri Perdana Complex in Putrajaya on May 21. This is the fifth time Malaysia has held the Asean chairmanship throughout its history as a member of the regional bloc, having previously chaired it in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015. In conjunction with the Asean Summit, two key high-level meetings -- the 2nd Asean-GCC Summit and the Asean-GCC-China Summit -- will also take place, marking an important platform for expanded regional and inter-regional cooperation. The GCC includes six countries, namely Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.- Bernama
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Asean-GCC-China ties signal growing demand for multilateralism
THE US's persistent efforts to maintain its fading unipolar dominance – through tariffs, sanctions, military presence and dollar hegemony – have sparked a global pushback, prompting nations to seek refuge in multilateral alliances. Among the most notable is the BRICS organisation, which has grown in prominence. However, this is just one of many such organisations, all of which share the common theme of nations outside the traditional Western sphere banding together to insulate themselves from Washington's overreach. This shift is driven not by ideology but by necessity. One recent example of this trend is the imposition of tariffs on the photovoltaic sector of several Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) members. These new duties follow previous tariffs placed late last year, under the pretext that Asean is merely a transshipment hub for Chinese-manufactured goods. These measures have fuelled dissatisfaction among Asean members, especially given the historical trade dynamics in the region. Originally formed during the Cold War to address tensions between non-communist Southeast Asian nations, Asean has since evolved into a diverse bloc. It now includes republican democracies, constitutional monarchies and socialist states, all united in the pursuit of regional integration and socioeconomic development. The timing of Malaysia's chairmanship of Asean in 2025 is fortuitous. Under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia is pushing for a neutral, trade-focused course, seeking economic cooperation with multiple nations while avoiding confrontation. Though there are exceptions, the overarching policy remains intact. Similarly, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), established in 1981 amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, has evolved from a regional security pact into a significant player in global energy markets. With vast reserves of hydrocarbons, the GCC now seeks greater economic diversification and long-term fiscal sustainability in light of the rise of new energy industries. During the early 1990s, the US sought to integrate these blocs into its sphere of influence, positioning itself as the uncontested global hegemon. However, over the past three decades, China has emerged as a major rival, challenging traditional powers not only in military and economic terms but also in technology. Unlike certain Western powers, China does not carry the same history of foreign interventions. This makes it an appealing partner for many nations, offering an alternative model of engagement that contrasts sharply with approaches seen in the past. As global power dynamics shift, countries are increasingly noticing the contrast – a declining Western power that alienates its allies such as the European Union, Japan and South Korea versus a rising China that promotes globalisation and economic cooperation. Shaping a new balance Asean and the GCC are not seeking to replace one dominant power with another. Instead, they are focused on creating a new balance, where cooperation among regional powers reduces dependence on any single nation. China, aware of the risks of foreign entanglements, has intentionally avoided the aggressive tactics seen in other parts of the world, including economic coercion or military interventions. These approaches have often been ineffective, as demonstrated by situations like nuclear proliferation and ongoing control conflicts. Moreover, actions by certain global powers have inadvertently strengthened rival nations, such as Russia, and may lead to a more nuclear-armed Middle East, underscoring the unpredictability of current global relations. These developments further destabilise the international order and contribute to the fragmentation of global trade systems. In response to these shifts, regional blocs like Asean, the GCC and China have distanced themselves from what is seen as self-destructive US behaviour. These organisations are not formal alliances but rather pragmatic collaborations aimed at increasing leverage against larger powers. The combined population of Asean, GCC and China of over two billion people forms a massive consumer market. Additionally, the energy and commodity reserves within these regions, coupled with China's manufacturing power and technological advances, particularly in renewables and electric vehicles, create a formidable economic force. While Asean members may seek tariff relief on a bilateral basis, the bloc's commitment to regional coordination remains strong and this alignment is appealing to GCC members. The GCC, with its energy resources and growing interest in economic diversification, stands to benefit from closer cooperation with China, especially in the energy and technology sectors. The recent actions by the US have not only eroded trust among its allies but also shaken confidence in the US dollar. A growing share of global trade is now being conducted in alternative currencies and US treasuries and bonds are losing appeal, with foreign assets at risk of seizure. These developments have raised concerns among Asian powers about the reliability of Western partners. The future of a multipolar world remains uncertain but the trends are clear. Regional and intergovernmental organisations will continue to emerge as new power centres, seeking to defend their interests and fortify themselves against external pressures. In the short term, such cooperation will help mitigate trade and supply chain disruptions, offering hope for greater stability and economic cooperation. Dr Julia Roknifard is a senior lecturer at the School of Law and Governance at Taylor's University, specialising in Middle Eastern studies and international security. She is also involved in Taylor's University's newly launched Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Honours) programme.
