Latest news with #NoorBakhtiarAhmad
Barnama
27-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Prabowo Commends Malaysia's Hosting Of 46th ASEAN Summit
Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto attends the 16th Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) today. -- fotoBERNAMA (2025) COPYRIGHT RESERVED By Noor Bakhtiar Ahmad KUALA LUMPUR, May 27 (Bernama) – Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has described the organisation of the 46th ASEAN Summit, held in the Malaysian capital, as highly commendable and successful. 'Excellent. Very good, very good,' he told the media after attending the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here today. This marks Prabowo's first appearance as head of state at the regional gathering since assuming office as Indonesia's president in October last year. The 46th ASEAN Summit and related meetings, which began on Monday, bring together Southeast Asian leaders for high-level discussions centred on regional cooperation, economic integration, and geopolitical stability. Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair for 2025, is also concurrently hosting the second ASEAN-GCC Summit and the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Summit, aimed at strengthening inter-regional collaboration. -- BERNAMA
Barnama
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
ASEAN Summit: Dedicated Sessions Highlight Malaysia's commitment To resolving Myanmar Crisis
By Noor Bakhtiar Ahmad KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's decision to host two back-to-back ASEAN meetings that focus solely on the protracted crisis in Myanmar ahead of the 46th ASEAN Summit next week underscores Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's seriousness and steadfast commitment to addressing the situation, analysts said. Asian Studies and geopolitical expert Prof Dr James Chin of the University of Tasmania said that holding the special meetings means Anwar, as the ASEAN 2025 Chair, has placed the Myanmar crisis high on his agenda for the year. 'And that's actually a good thing. As you know, ASEAN has been trying to resolve the Myanmar issue for some time. They have a Five-Point Consensus, which the junta agreed to but has refused to implement. 'So, if Anwar can push this forward, if he can secure some kind of ceasefire or even a reconciliation agreement between the junta and the opposition, that would be a major step, not just for ASEAN but also for Anwar himself. It would significantly enhance his international reputation,' he told Bernama. The week-long 46th ASEAN Summit and related meetings which commenced at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) today have dedicated two special sessions in the efforts to address the quagmire in Myanmar. The first meeting on informal consultation will be participated by the previous, current and incoming ASEAN Chairs, namely Laos, Malaysia and the Philippines respectively, while the extended informal consultation will involve all Foreign Ministers of ASEAN member states except Myanmar. These meetings, scheduled for tomorrow, will be chaired by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. ASEAN secretary-general Dr Kao Kim Hourn told Reuters in an interview recently that these two meetings are something new as they focus on the Myanmar situation and will not discuss other issues.
Barnama
22-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
ASEAN-GCC-China Summit Crucial Platform For Strategic, Economic Ties
By Noor Bakhtiar Ahmad KUALA LUMPUR, May 22 (Bernama) -- The inaugural ASEAN–GCC–China Summit in Kuala Lumpur arrives at a defining moment, offering ASEAN a rare opportunity to reaffirm its global diplomatic clout and position itself as a vital bridge between the Gulf and China amid rising geopolitical tensions, analysts say. Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (ASLI) Chief Executive Officer Danial Rahman said the May 27 summit comes amid intensifying geopolitical competition and increased US engagement with GCC states, presenting ASEAN with a crucial opportunity to position itself as a neutral and inclusive convenor in a multipolar world. 'First, it's a chance for ASEAN to reaffirm its role as a central convenor in a contested multipolar landscape. 'Secondly, to position itself as a practical bridge between the Gulf and China to promote cooperation; and thirdly, to push for concrete, multi-country projects that deliver real value in trade, energy and digital cooperation,' he told Bernama. Echoing these views, regional expert Dr Nadia Helmy said that as Gulf countries race to expand their investments in the region, Malaysia - as ASEAN Chair this year - is well-positioned to steer the summit towards deeper strategic and economic partnerships. 'The GCC countries are actively investing in ASEAN,' she said, citing the example of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation's foray into the Southeast Asian market through a joint oil refinery project in Vietnam and a collaboration with Indonesia's Pertamina to develop a refinery complex in East Java. She cited another example, in which Saudi Aramco in 2017 committed US$7 billion to a partnership with Petronas in Malaysia, the company's largest investment outside the Kingdom. Nadia, who is a professor of political science at Beni Suef University and an Egyptian expert in Chinese and Asian affairs, said that the cooperation between the GCC and ASEAN is essential to maximise the benefits of development across economic, commercial and technological fields.
Barnama
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Anwar To Raise Gaza Issue At ASEAN Leaders' Retreat
By Noor Bakhtiar Ahmad PUTRAJAYA, May 21 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said he would raise the issue regarding Gaza during the ASEAN Leaders' Retreat held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit. "The bombardment continues. We have lost our humanity in a world full of cruelty. Malaysia has done whatever we can, although some expect us to do more. bootstrap slideshow 'But within ASEAN, we build consensus to push for a ceasefire. It would depend on the context, but when I chair the ASEAN Leaders' Retreat, I will probably touch on this subject," he said during a briefing session with editors-in-chief of local and international media at the Seri Perdana Complex here, Wednesday. Also present were Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin, Bernama editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, and executive editor of Bernama economic news service Saraswathi Muniappan. The event was attended by a total of 83 media representatives, comprising 42 from local media, 18 from international media, and 23 covering the event on assignment. The 46th ASEAN Summit will begin this Thursday with meetings at the senior officials' level, followed by ministerial-level meetings on May 25, while meetings for heads of government will commence on May 26. Malaysia assumed the ASEAN Chairmanship from Laos on Jan 1, 2025, with the theme "Inclusivity and Sustainability," reflecting the nation's aspirations to shape a united and prosperous ASEAN. This is Malaysia's fifth time holding the ASEAN Chairmanship, after 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015.
Barnama
16-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Malaysia Leverages ASEAN Chairmanship To Advance Ties With GCC, China
By Noor Bakhtiar Ahmad KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is set to take centre stage in global diplomacy as it hosts the inaugural ASEAN-GCC-China Economic Summit this month, leveraging its 2025 ASEAN chairmanship to advance strategic ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations and China, especially in promoting a multipolar global order and reinforcing ASEAN's centrality. Regional expert Dr Nadia Helmy said the convening of the summit in Kuala Lumpur - initiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim - is a testament to Malaysia's increasing prominence in shaping multilateral cooperation frameworks, with its ASEAN chairmanship providing a platform to build bridges between Southeast Asia, the Islamic world and key global powers like China. bootstrap slideshow 'Malaysia's hosting of the first-ever ASEAN-GCC-China Economic Summit reflects its growing role in shaping multilateral frameworks for economic, political and cultural cooperation,' said Nadia, a Professor of Political Science at Beni Suef University and an Egyptian expert in Chinese and Asian political affairs. She noted Malaysia's continued emphasis on 'ASEAN centrality' as a strategic response to geopolitical tensions between major powers. 'Malaysia is actively supporting a neutral stance and avoiding alignment with any global bloc. This allows ASEAN to function as a cohesive and independent force in global diplomacy,' she told Bernama in a written interview. Nadia observed that ASEAN countries have strong and robust economies that enable them to play a pivotal role in the global economic landscape. 'This makes economic and trade cooperation with ASEAN by the GCC countries and other Middle East countries fruitful and successful for all parties involved,' she said. Nadia said China's role is also expected to feature prominently in the trilateral framework through its Belt and Road Initiative, investment in renewable energy in the Gulf, and infrastructure support in Southeast Asia.
