Latest news with #stability
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- General
- Malay Mail
Agong warns leaders against politicising sensitive issues, says united rakyat is the greatest gift for him
KUALA LUMPUR, June 2 — His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, has reminded leaders against politicising sensitive issues, which could fuel discord within society and threaten the nation's stability. His Majesty stated that the existence of more political parties or factions within parties would lead to a widened rift among the people, resulting in escalating enmity among them. 'Use your wisdom before making any decisions. There is no greater gift to me than a united rakyat. 'I have mentioned before that there is a virus that will strike our nation. Now, this virus has begun to spread and cannot be cured. I often speak of this so that we do not easily forget,' His Majesty said. Sultan Ibrahim was speaking during the Royal Address at the Investiture Ceremony for the year 2025 in conjunction with the King's official birthday celebration at Istana Negara. Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, the Queen of Malaysia, was also in attendance. Present at the ceremony were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil and Cabinet Ministers. His Majesty also called on all Malaysians to keep fostering unity as a gift to him. Sultan Ibrahim also announced a Royal Tour across the Federal Territories to witness firsthand the lives of the people and distribute tithes to the poor and eight categories of asnaf beneficiaries. — Bernama
The National
14 hours ago
- Business
- The National
Syria's Al Shara in Kuwait amid drive for Gulf investment
Syria 's President Ahmad Al Shara visited Kuwait on Sunday and discussed ways to stabilise his country with Emir Sheikh Meshal, official media said, amid a push by Damascus to secure Gulf investments. The official Kuwaiti news agency said the two men, who met at the emir's palace in Kuwait, discussed expanding ties and "strengthening efforts by the international community to guarantee the security and stability of Syria". It was the fourth visit by Mr Al Shara to a Gulf country since his rebel allies appointed him as leader of Syria in late January. Mr Al Shara's Hayat Tahrir Al Sham (HTS), an organisation that traces its origins to Al Qaeda, took over the state after leading an offensive that toppled former president Bashar Al Assad. On Saturday, Mr Al Shara told a cabinet meeting that the authorities aim to lift restrictions imposed by the former regime on repatriation of profits, so as to attract foreign investment. He mentioned the potential for neighbouring counties taking on infrastructure projects, as local companies, he said, do not have the capital. Mr Al Shara said that there is "big appetite" to invest in airports, energy, tourism, oil, minerals, free zones, ports, railways real estate and transport sectors. Two weeks ago, Mr Al Shara met a Kuwaiti business delegation headed by Bader Al Kharafi, chief of one of the largest Arab conglomerates, Zain Group. However, no specific investments were announced. Business deals The government has signed three major concessions since the removal of the former regime. Two have been for the Latakia and Tartous ports, which French shipping company CMA CGM, and with DP World of the UAE. The third was with Qatar 's UCC to add electricity generation capacity. Syria needs an estimated $500 billion in new infrastructure after the 2011 to 2014 civil war, although violence and sectarian killings have continued across the country. Turkey's Deniz Bank, which is fully owned by Emirates NBD, expects more financing opportunities to support Syria's reconstruction. Saudi Arabia and Qatar said on the weekend that they will finance government salaries for the next three months. The move was made possible by removal of US sanctions this month. The EU followed suit and decided to remove its own sanctions on Syria's economy. Meanwhile, Dubai airline flydubai resumed flights to Damascus on Sunday after a 12-year hiatus due to the civil war. Riyadh, as well as Turkey, played a main role in the lifting of US sanctions on Syria this month, in a major development that ushered normalisation between Washington and Damascus. President Donald Trump shortly afterwards met Mr Al Shara in Riyadh. American officials have said one of the main reasons for the decision to lift the sanctions was the desire to improve living conditions quickly enough to prevent another civil war.
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Anwar Says Malaysia 'Does Not Believe in Spheres of Influence'
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says his country's "approach is one of active non-alignment" during a speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. "Stability does not come from carving up the map but from creating space for all," he tells the audience. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE President, Lebanese head of state discuss regional developments over phone
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his Lebanese counterpart Joseph Aoun reiterated the importance of stability and security across the region and said that it was vital to promote peace. The two leaders spoke over the phone on Saturday, May 31 during which they discussed relations between the two countries and explored ways to enhance cooperation across various sectors. Earlier in the week, Lebanese Prime Minister Dr. Nawaf Salam was in Dubai for the Arab Media Summit during which he expressed deep gratitude to the UAE and President Sheikh Mohamed for fulfilling promises to allow Emiratis to return to their 'second home' Lebanon. 'Lebanon does not forget the gestures of our brothers in the Arabian Gulf.' Dr. Salam had said. The Lebanese premier said that approximately 190,000 Lebanese citizens live and work in the UAE. UAE and Lebanon agreed to allow citizens to travel after taking the necessary measures to facilitate movement between the two countries and establishing appropriate mechanisms. UAE citizens were allowed to travel to Lebanon effective May 7 but prior registration on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Twajudi platform is mandatory.
CNA
2 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Trade 'critical' to ASEAN, must be protected from ‘arbitrary' curbs: Anwar at Shangri-La Dialogue
SINGAPORE: Trade is part of Southeast Asia's strategic architecture and must be protected 'from the onslaught of arbitrary imposition of trade restrictions', said Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in a special address at this year's Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday (May 31). He added that the Southeast Asia region is 'holding its ground' in a troubled world, cautioning that trade faltering could have rippling consequences on stability, with impact cascading beyond any one region. 'In Southeast Asia, we have learned that lasting stability begins with steady fundamentals, clear policies and a long view. Trade is not a soft power indulgence. It is part of our strategic architecture,' said Anwar who is this year's rotating chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). 'And like any critical system, it must be protected, not from competition, but from the onslaught of arbitrary imposition of trade restrictions,' he added in his 15-minute speech before regional defence ministers and chiefs. 'What holds true for us holds true elsewhere - where trade flourishes, stability follows. When it falters, the consequences ripple far beyond any one region,' said Anwar. While he did not specify countries, the Malaysian premier was referencing the ongoing trade war between US and China, which recently made global headlines following US President's Donald Trump sweeping 'Liberation Day' tariffs that caused turmoil in the stock market and sparked economic uncertainty across industries. ASEAN nations are among those most heavily hit by US tariffs, with countries such as Cambodia and Laos slapped with 49 per cent and 48 per cent import tariffs respectively, before Trump announced on Apr 9 a 90-day pause on 'reciprocal' tariffs on imports from almost 60 countries and the European Union. On May 12, both the US and China agreed to temporarily cut massive tariffs imposed on each other's goods. Washington cut tariffs on imports from China to 30 per cent from 145 per cent for 90 days, while Beijing will slash duties on US imports to 10 per cent from 125 per cent for the same period. As both countries continue to negotiate, countries across the world continue to be gripped by uncertainty. During the ASEAN Summit earlier this week, Anwar said that the bloc has the 'fortitude and staying power' to 'weather the storms' of economic uncertainty swirling in the region, arising from geopolitical trade tensions between the US and China. In his speech on Saturday, Anwar reiterated the importance of ASEAN's principle of 'centrality', and how it is widening its 'strategic aperture' by working with other regions such as the Gulf and the formation of the ASEAN Geoeconomics Task Force to help the bloc 'navigate external shocks'. 'And that gives us 'habits of cooperation' – trade facilitation, cybersecurity frameworks, cross-border data rules, cultural cooperation. They may not be as dramatic, but they are no less vital, for they give Southeast Asia greater impetus to act together,' said Anwar. 'And the more we act together, the harder it becomes to be pulled apart by external gravity. Preserving our autonomy is not about resisting others. It is about strengthening ourselves. This, in essence, is what ASEAN centrality is about,' he added.
