Latest news with #WongChunWai
Barnama
3 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Malaysia's Leadership Shines At Asean Summit With Key Milestones And Global Partnership
GENERAL By Wong Chun Wai KUALA LUMPUR, May 30 (Bernama) -- Undoubtedly, the ASEAN Summit held in the capital earlier this week concluded on a high note, marking a significant moment for regional diplomacy and Malaysia's leadership on the Southeast Asian stage. Several key milestones were achieved at the meeting, which was attended by leaders from all ten ASEAN member states and key dialogue partners. One of the most significant outcomes of the summit was the formal announcement that Timor-Leste will become a full member of ASEAN by October 2025. Membership in ASEAN is never an easy path for any country, as the regional bloc works on a consensus basis. All it takes is for a member country to oppose the new entrant, and it goes out the window. There have been some anxious moments for the youngest Asian nation, which has just a 1.5 million population, with one Timor Leste diplomat joking that 'going to heaven is easier than joining ASEAN.' Resource-rich Timor-Leste occupies the eastern part of the island of Timor, at the far eastern tip of the Indonesian archipelago. But with its biggest supporter, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, pushing for its entrance into ASEAN, there were plenty of behind-the-scenes persuasions to ensure a consensus was met. After years of preparation and observer participation, Timor-Leste's accession was unanimously endorsed.
The Star
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Bernama-TV BRICS partnership to strengthen Global South media collaboration
MOSCOW: The Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) plans to work with the international media network TV BRICS to widen its global and regional news coverage, reflecting a growing emphasis on cross-border media cooperation. In making the announcement, Bernama chairman Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai said both sides hope to collaborate, emphasising the importance of the Global South having access to alternative and diverse views in a multipolar world. He said the proposed collaboration, following an earlier meeting in Kuala Lumpur, aims to boost content exchange, co-productions of feature reports, and training, especially now that Malaysia has attained BRICS partnership status. Last October, Malaysia was recognised as one of 13 nations officially added to BRICS as a partner country when Russia was its chair, a bloc that collectively accounts for one-fifth of global trade. "Among the key areas of collaboration under discussion with TV BRICS were on economy, business, artificial intelligence (AI), tourism, health and green initiatives,' he said after meeting his counterpart Ivan Polykavoc and other senior TV BRICS officials here on Monday (May 12). Bernama hopes to expand its reach by partnering TV BRICS, a multilateral media platform which connects Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, Wong said. Russia-based TV BRICS, on its part, wants to work with Bernama to amplify Southeast Asian perspectives to a global audience while gaining enriched content from fellow developing nations. "This partnership is a timely opportunity for Bernama to share Malaysia's voice and Asean developments with a wider international audience,' he said. BRICS, originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, and China, was established in 2009 as a cooperation platform for emerging economies, with South Africa joining in 2010. The bloc has since expanded to include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. Brazil is BRICS chair for 2025. Emphasising Malaysia's neutrality, Wong said Bernama wishes to work with any compatible major news agencies. "We hope Bernama can be a bridge between Asia and other Global South nations," he added. Wong also met Russian news agency (TASS) director-general Andrey Kondrashov separately. He congratulated TASS on its 120th anniversary celebration last year, describing it as a remarkable feat in journalism. "Bernama is pleased to be a long-time partner of TASS, which is an institution (in itself) in Russia," he added. Kondrashov expressed TASS' wish to upgrade collaboration with Bernama. Wong said he is interested in knowing more about AI tools used by TASS to check on fake news and its source. Wong will also be speaking on media development at the XVI International Economic Forum, "Russia-Islamic World: KazanForum'.- Bernama
Barnama
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
The Malaysian Vote In The Election Of The New Pope
By Wong Chun Wai KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 (Bernama) -- The next Pope will be chosen by the College of Cardinals, the Catholic church's most senior priests, following the demise of Pope Francis and out of these 135 electors, there is a Malaysian. These cardinals, who are eligible to vote, are making their way for the conclave, which comes from the Latin word cum clave, meaning the 'the key' indicating the closed, if not secretive, process of electing a Pope. Johor-born Datuk Seri Sebastian Francis will join his counterparts from various parts of the world for the voting. The 73-year-old priest, who now resides in Penang, has been the Bishop of Penang since 2011. He was elevated to the rank of Cardinal in Sept 2023 by Francis. He is the second cardinal from Malaysia after the late Anthony Soter Fernandez. Past Malaysian Catholic Lawyers Association president Datuk Joy Appukuttan said during Francis' term, 'We have seen a large number of cardinals appointed from smaller nations. 'Malaysia and Singapore stand out. Our (Cardinal Sebastian) Francis is one of them and will have to attend the conclave soon,'' he said. Another source said, 'Cardinal Sebastian is on his way to Rome for the selection of the new Pope.''
