Latest news with #Five-PointConsensus
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Malaysia pushing for progress on South China Sea Code of Conduct, Myanmar Five-Point Consensus
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is actively pushing for progress on the South China Sea Code of Conduct (COC) and upholding the Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar, according to Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz. The minister emphasised that Malaysia is also focused on deepening ties with strategic partners in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Europe, the United States (US) and beyond. 'The recent ASEAN–GCC–China Summit has also positioned our region as a bridge between Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. 'This trilateral partnership offers an opportunity to combine China's technology and infrastructure capacity, the GCC's energy and capital, and ASEAN's market and industrial dynamism into a new engine for growth and resilience,' he said in his keynote address at the ASEAN Business Forum 2025, here today. The speech was delivered on Tengku Zafrul's behalf by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority's (MIDA) chief executive officer, Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid. Tengku Zafrul said the newly established ASEAN Geoeconomics Task Force, co-chaired by Malaysia and Indonesia, is now fully operational. He noted that the task force's mandate is to provide real-time economic analysis, scenario modelling, and coordinated policy recommendations to help ASEAN anticipate and mitigate economic risks and, where appropriate, turn them into opportunities. 'Additionally, our ministers have reaffirmed an unwavering commitment to a rules-based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at its core. 'Our joint statements underscore a mature, forward-looking approach as ASEAN will respond to external shocks not with retaliation, but with deeper engagement, open dialogue, and collective solutions,' he said. Meanwhile, Tengku Zafrul added that ASEAN's true superpower is the region's unity, resilience, and pragmatism. 'As the world undergoes a profound realignment, ASEAN's unity and centrality matter more than ever. 'From the Asian Financial Crisis to the pandemic to the present day, ASEAN has shown the world that collective action, trust, and shared purpose are the bedrock of our success,' he added.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Pushing for progress on South China Sea COC, Myanmar Five-Point Consensus
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is actively pushing for progress on the South China Sea Code of Conduct (COC) and upholding the Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar, according to Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz. The minister emphasised that Malaysia is also focused on deepening ties with strategic partners in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Europe, the United States (US) and beyond. 'The recent ASEAN–GCC–China Summit has also positioned our region as a bridge between Asia, the Middle East, and beyond. 'This trilateral partnership offers an opportunity to combine China's technology and infrastructure capacity, the GCC's energy and capital, and ASEAN's market and industrial dynamism into a new engine for growth and resilience,' he said in his keynote address at the ASEAN Business Forum 2025, here today. The speech was delivered on Tengku Zafrul's behalf by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority's (MIDA) chief executive officer, Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid. Tengku Zafrul said the newly established ASEAN Geoeconomics Task Force, co-chaired by Malaysia and Indonesia, is now fully operational. He noted that the task force's mandate is to provide real-time economic analysis, scenario modelling, and coordinated policy recommendations to help ASEAN anticipate and mitigate economic risks and, where appropriate, turn them into opportunities. 'Additionally, our ministers have reaffirmed an unwavering commitment to a rules-based multilateral trading system, with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at its core. 'Our joint statements underscore a mature, forward-looking approach as ASEAN will respond to external shocks not with retaliation, but with deeper engagement, open dialogue, and collective solutions,' he said. Meanwhile, Tengku Zafrul added that ASEAN's true superpower is the region's unity, resilience, and pragmatism. 'As the world undergoes a profound realignment, ASEAN's unity and centrality matter more than ever. 'From the Asian Financial Crisis to the pandemic to the present day, ASEAN has shown the world that collective action, trust, and shared purpose are the bedrock of our success,' he added.
Malaysia Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- Malaysia Sun
ASEAN Reaffirms Commitment to Myanmar Peace Process, Urges Ceasefire Extension
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - At a meeting on Tuesday in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, ASEAN leaders reiterated their commitment to supporting Myanmar in achieving a peaceful resolution to its protracted crisis, emphasizing the continued relevance of the Five-Point Consensus (5PC) as the primary framework for dialogue. In a joint statement, the bloc urged all parties in Myanmar to immediately halt violence against civilians and public infrastructure, while calling for restraint to ensure civilian safety. The leaders also stressed the need for unhindered humanitarian access , urging warring factions to facilitate the transparent and efficient delivery of ASEAN aid to affected populations. The statement comes as a truce agreement —initially brokered to allow disaster relief after a devastating March earthquake—was extended until May 31 . The earthquake, which killed over 3,800 people and displaced tens of thousands, had prompted rare cooperation between Myanmar's military and armed resistance groups. ASEAN now seeks a nationwide expansion of the ceasefire. Adopted in April 2021 following the military coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi, the Five-Point Consensus outlines steps to end violence, enable humanitarian aid, foster inclusive dialogue, appoint an ASEAN special envoy, and facilitate the envoy's engagement with all stakeholders. However, progress has stalled amid escalating conflict, with Myanmar's junta largely ignoring ASEAN's demands. The bloc's statement reflects persistent frustrations over the lack of breakthroughs but underscores ASEAN's unwavering stance on a peaceful, negotiated solution. Member countries of ASEAN, aside from Myanmar, comprise Cambodia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, and Laos. The group was formed on 8 August 1967, when five leaders – the Foreign Ministers of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand – sat down together in the main hall of the Department of Foreign Affairs building in Bangkok, Thailand and signed a document. By virtue of that document, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was born.
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Longer, broader Myanmar ceasefire sought
KUALA LUMPUR: Asean leaders have called for a sustained extension and nationwide expansion of the ceasefire in Myanmar as an initial step towards the cessation of violence in the country. In a joint statement, the leaders said that the call is aimed at creating a safe and conducive environment for the delivery of humanitarian aid and establishing an inclusive national dialogue, consistent with the Five-Point Consensus. Asean also reiterated that the consensus remains the main reference to address Myanmar's political crisis and that it should be implemented in its entirety. 'This is to help the people achieve an inclusive and durable peaceful resolution that is Myanmar-owned and Myanmar-led. 'We urge concrete action to immediately halt indiscriminate violence, denounce any escalation, exercise utmost restraint as well as ensure the protection and safety of all civilians,' they said. Asean leaders expressed appreciation of the three consecutive temporary ceasefires by authorities in Myanmar and other unilateral ceasefires by relevant stakeholders. The leaders urged all relevant parties to ensure the safe, timely, effective and transparent delivery of humanitarian assistance without discrimination, alongside continued support of relevant stakeholders in Myanmar and through cross-border efforts where necessary. Asean leaders further reaffirmed continued support for the work of the Asean Chair, including through the Special Envoy, in the full and effective implementation of the Five-Point Consensus.
Barnama
4 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
ASEAN Reiterates Commitment To Myanmar Peace Plan, Calls For End To Violence
GENERAL KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 (Bernama) – ASEAN leaders have expressed deep concern over the worsening conflict and humanitarian situation in Myanmar, urging all parties to halt violence and recommit to the grouping's Five-Point Consensus (5PC) as the primary framework for resolving the crisis. In a Chairman's Statement issued at the conclusion of the 46th ASEAN Summit chaired by Malaysia here today, the leaders stressed that the 5PC remains the regional grouping's central reference in guiding efforts toward restoring peace and stability in Myanmar, which has been plagued by conflict since the military seized power in 2021. 'We reaffirmed our united position that the 5PC remains our main reference to address the political crisis in Myanmar,' the statement read, underscoring the bloc's consensus to uphold previous decisions made by ASEAN Heads of State and Government. The leaders also reiterated their decision to restrict Myanmar's representation at ASEAN Summits and Foreign Ministers' Meetings to the non-political level, while affirming that ASEAN's community-building efforts and decision-making processes must continue unaffected. The summit welcomed the exchange of ideas during recent informal consultations aimed at reinvigorating implementation of the 5PC and finding practical ways forward amid the lack of tangible progress on the ground. ASEAN denounced the continued violence perpetrated against civilians and public facilities in Myanmar, calling on all actors to exercise restraint and ensure the protection of non-combatants and essential infrastructure. 'We urge all parties involved to take concrete action to immediately halt indiscriminate violence,' the leaders said, while also calling for an environment that enables humanitarian access and inclusive national dialogue. In a significant move, the bloc issued the ASEAN Leaders' Statement on an Extended and Expanded Ceasefire in Myanmar, aimed at reducing hostilities and creating space for peaceful negotiations. ASEAN leaders also welcomed ongoing humanitarian relief efforts by the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre), in line with Point 4 of the 5PC, which calls for the provision of humanitarian aid.
