Latest news with #AMM
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong honours Sabah, reaffirms commitment to Asean
KUALA LUMPUR: Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong says close people-to-people ties are key to long-term friendship between Australia and Malaysia. She said this is also supported by the shared history of both countries and a strong belief in the value of regional cooperation. "The friendship between Australia and Malaysia is built on our shared history and the close relationships between our peoples," she said in a 1-minute and 25-second video posted on her official Instagram account, @senatorpennywong. The video includes footage from her childhood in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, as well as her appearance at the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and related meetings held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre last week. Wong added that this year marks the 70th anniversary of Australia-Malaysia diplomatic relations, and she expressed support for Malaysia's role as Asean Chair. "We will continue working with our regional partners to support a shared vision for a more secure, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific, in which Asean plays a central role," she said. Wong, who was born in Malaysia and raised in Australia, said her life story reflects the reality of modern Australian society. "My story, like that of many Australians, is a modern Australian story - almost half of all Australians were born overseas or have a parent who was born overseas," she said. She emphasised that this multicultural background is one of Australia's key strengths in building strong international relationships, including with Southeast Asian nations. "It helps us find common ground with people across the world, including in Southeast Asia," she added.
Borneo Post
an hour ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Sabah-born Australian foreign minister Penny Wong honours roots, marks 70 years of bilateral ties (Video)
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during a bilateral meeting with Wong at the Prime Minister's Office in conjunction with the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Putrajaya on July 11, 2025. — Bernama photo KUALA LUMPUR (July 15): Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong says close people-to-people ties are key to long-term friendship between Australia and Malaysia. She said this is also supported by the shared history of both countries and a strong belief in the value of regional cooperation. 'The friendship between Australia and Malaysia is built on our shared history and the close relationships between our peoples,' she said in a 1-minute and 25-second video posted on her official Instagram account, @senatorpennywong. The video includes footage from her childhood in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, as well as her appearance at the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and related meetings held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre last week. Wong added that this year marks the 70th anniversary of Australia-Malaysia diplomatic relations, and she expressed support for Malaysia's role as Asean Chair. 'We will continue working with our regional partners to support a shared vision for a more secure, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific, in which Asean plays a central role,' she said. Wong, who was born in Malaysia and raised in Australia, said her life story reflects the reality of modern Australian society. 'My story, like that of many Australians, is a modern Australian story — almost half of all Australians were born overseas or have a parent who was born overseas,' she said. She emphasised that this multicultural background is one of Australia's key strengths in building strong international relationships, including with Southeast Asian nations. 'It helps us find common ground with people across the world, including in Southeast Asia,' she added. — Bernama View this post on Instagram A post shared by Penny Wong (@senatorpennywong)
Malaysian Reserve
5 hours ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
58th AMM: ASEAN pushes for deeper integration, strategic unity
The region's strength lies in its ability to act collectively, grounded in the principles of unity, neutrality and people-centred development by AKMAR ANNUAR ASEAN foreign ministers have reaffirmed their commitment to a more cohesive, resilient and strategically autonomous region during the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM), held in Kuala Lumpur last week. Chaired by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, the meeting focused on advancing the ASEAN Vision 2045 roadmap, strengthening intra-regional cooperation and addressing key regional security and economic challenges amid growing geopolitical tensions. Mohamad, who also chaired the plenary session on July 9, urged ASEAN to stay united and resolute against external pressures, emphasising that 'strategic consistency and internal cohesion' are crucial as the region navigates a volatile global landscape. He underlined that ASEAN's strength lies in its ability to act collectively, grounded in the principles of unity, neutrality and people-centred development. Timor-Leste's Accession: Closing the Loop The meeting endorsed the Guidelines to Facilitate Timor-Leste's Accession to ASEAN Legal Instruments, encouraged the full completion of procedures before the 47th ASEAN Summit and supported the adoption of the ASEAN Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment. The foreign ministers reaffirmed their support for Timor-Leste's membership and called on member states to assist in fast-tracking the signing of ASEAN agreements. This would pave the way for the formal inclusion of Timor-Leste at the 47th Summit in October. UKM political analyst Dr Mazlan Ali said Malaysia's leadership as ASEAN chair has demonstrated the country's potential to drive positive outcomes for the region. 'Malaysia's political and economic stability gives it the credibility to influence key ASEAN directions. For example, Malaysia's diplomacy played a key role in persuading major powers to consider South-East Asia's 1995 nuclear-free agreement,' he told The Malaysian Reserve (TMR). Mazlan added that Malaysia's ability to avoid confrontation while pursuing dialogue with global powers like the US and China enables ASEAN to position itself as a balanced player. 'It is realistic for ASEAN to reduce reliance on external powers by strengthening internal trade and policy alignment. Malaysia plays a bridging role here,' he said. On Timor-Leste's accession, he warned that further delays could invite external influence. 'If ASEAN does not accelerate Timor-Leste's membership, there is a risk it becomes a pawn in major power competition,' he opined. People-first Diplomacy A central priority of the 58th AMM was for ASEAN to go beyond mere declarations and ensure that its frameworks and roadmaps deliver tangible, meaningful benefits to the people of the region. Mohamad repeatedly highlighted the importance of people-centred outcomes. 'What the people want is implementation, not just communiqués. We must match ambition with delivery,' he said at a press conference. Economist Assoc Prof Dr Aimi Zulhazmi Abdul Rashid said ASEAN must urgently act on its economic strategic plan. He said Malaysia needs to significantly boost intra-ASEAN trade, especially in food and essential goods, given the rising uncertainties from global protectionism. ASEAN has the potential to shift from being just a manufacturing base to becoming a high-tech hub. 'With nearly 700 million people and a GDP approaching US$4 trillion (RM17 trillion), ASEAN can leverage second-mover advantage, learn from China's path and enhance its value chain,' he told TMR. Aimi Zulhazmi said the bloc's economic plans must translate into real gains for ordinary people. This would translate into improved wages for workers, the creation of more employment opportunities and greater investment in connectivity infrastructure that could attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and help build a resilient middle class across the region. He also called for ASEAN economies to adopt a region-wide second-mover strategy. 'Learn from China, take the good parts and improve on the gaps. That is how ASEAN becomes globally competitive without reinventing the wheel.' Nuclear Cooperation: New Energy Diplomacy In a bilateral engagement on the sidelines, Malaysia and the US signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on strategic civilian nuclear cooperation. The agreement includes collaboration in areas such as human capital development, regulation and peaceful application of nuclear technology in agriculture and healthcare. Mohamad said the MoU marked Malaysia's 'readiness to explore clean energy pathways while maintaining a peaceful foreign policy doctrine.' Aimi Zulhazmi said Malaysia's credibility as a neutral and peaceful nation makes it well to engage responsibly in such programmes. 'This is not about military ambition. It is about securing long-term energy stability.' ASEAN should collectively explore peaceful nuclear applications. 'This should not be an exclusive West-aligned agenda. ASEAN should open dialogue with multiple partners like China, South Korea and the European Union (EU),' he added. Mazlan shared similar views, noting Malaysia's long-standing diplomacy track record. He said Malaysia has always been trusted globally. 'We are not part of military alliances or arms races. That gives legitimacy to our pursuit of civilian nuclear development.' Rights, Environment and Digital Protection Another major outcome of the 58th AMM was the endorsement of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights' (AICHR) Priority Programmes for 2025 and its Five-Year Work Plan for 2026-2030. In layman terms, AICHR is ASEAN's official body responsible for promoting human rights in the region. It focuses on issues such as access to justice, the rights of vulnerable groups, digital protection and climate-induced displacement. The ministers expressed their full support for AICHR's plans, encouraging it to carry out its mandate in line with both ASEAN values and international human rights standards. This was complemented by the adoption of the ASEAN Declaration on the Right to a Safe, Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment. The declaration links human rights to environmental protection, signalling stronger cooperation on green policies, climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction. The bloc's economic plans must translate into real gains for ordinary people, says Aimi Zulhazmi (Pic courtesy of Aimi Zulhazmi) Realising ASEAN Connectivity Wisma Putra-Youth Diplomacy Task Force member Azwan Omar agreed that ASEAN must prioritise the removal of non-tariff barriers and accelerate banking integration. He said this will facilitate smoother capital movement and trade financing across ASEAN, adding that with better infrastructure and policy connectivity, intra-ASEAN investment could flourish. 'We need to grow our own demand base. That comes from a strong middle class and improved income distribution,' he told TMR. Azwan also welcomed Algeria and Uruguay's inclusion in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in South-East Asia (TAC), saying it reinforces ASEAN's non-aligned identity. 'This sends a signal that ASEAN is open for business, but not taking sides in global rivalries.' He also stressed the importance of translating strategic plans into action. 'Enough talk. Let's start building real ASEAN connectivity — roads, rails and digital infrastructure that people can see and feel,' he said. Azwan also supported the MOU on nuclear cooperation, calling it a long-term step toward energy security. To keep growing, Malaysia needs stable and excess electricity, which is critical for future investors. Reinforcing ASEAN's Geopolitical Identity With Algeria and Uruguay signing the TAC and Timor-Leste on track for accession, ASEAN continues to reinforce its identity as a neutral and non-aligned regional bloc. Experts say this gives ASEAN more geopolitical leverage in an increasingly divided world. Azwan said international recognition of ASEAN as a free and non-aligned region allows sovereign nations to conduct business and investment here without being drawn into US-China rivalry. Meanwhile, Mazlan said Timor-Leste's full inclusion would help secure the bloc's cohesion. 'ASEAN must not allow outside powers to influence member candidates. If we delay, others will step in.' Mazlan also cautioned that ASEAN's internal harmonisation of laws, especially in areas such as trade and cybersecurity, remains insufficient. The lack of legal alignment allows cyber-criminals to take advantage of regulatory gaps between member states, making it difficult to pursue enforcement. He pointed to the rising cases of digital scams and online fraud as pressing concerns, noting that some perpetrators operate from neighbouring ASEAN countries and evade prosecution due to overlapping jurisdictions and enforcement loopholes. Mazlan stressed that urgent reform is needed to implement synchronised digital laws and robust cross-border enforcement mechanisms across the region. Centrality in Global Disruption The 58th AMM also addressed regional responses to global instability. The ministers reaffirmed ASEAN Centrality and non-alignment as core principles amid ongoing tension in the South China Sea, protectionist trade policies and energy insecurity. TMR earlier reported that during the plenary session, Mohamad stressed that ASEAN will continue to deal with regional and strategic challenges in its own way — not mirroring other blocs or alliances. 'We need to reaffirm our strategic consistency and internal cohesion. If ASEAN is fragmented, external powers will exploit the vacuum,' he warned. The meeting's declarations and MOUs signal ASEAN's intent to position itself as a stabilising force, but analysts stress that success depends on follow-through before the 47th ASEAN Summit later this year. Aimi Zulhazmi said ASEAN's collective voice can only be strong if member states act as one. With a population of nearly 700 million and combined GDP of almost US$4 trillion, ASEAN has significant leverage. 'But that leverage is only real if it is coordinated,' he said. The Road to 47th ASEAN Summit While declarations were made on environment, human rights and nuclear energy, observers note that the region's credibility depends on delivery. Mohamad pointed out that the region is no longer insulated from global disruption. 'Whether it is trade wars, cybercrime, or climate shifts, ASEAN must be a source of certainty in an uncertain world,' he said. He reiterated that ASEAN must not only chart policy but materialise the spirit of its commitments. 'We must uphold the trust placed in us by the people.' As ASEAN moves towards the 47th Summit, focus will remain on the operationalisation of Timor-Leste's accession, the rollout of legal harmonisation frameworks, energy transition and accelerating intra-ASEAN trade mechanisms. Mazlan emphasised that ASEAN must move beyond being merely a platform for dialogue and instead evolve into a proactive, unified force that protects its people, promotes shared prosperity and upholds peace in a turbulent world. This article first appeared in The Malaysian Reserve weekly print edition
BusinessToday
21 hours ago
- Business
- BusinessToday
ASEAN Energy Grid Targeted By 2045
ASEAN foreign ministers have set an ambitious target to realise the ASEAN Power Grid by 2045, reinforcing their shared vision for a more connected, secure and low-carbon energy future across Southeast Asia. In a Joint Communique issued after the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM), the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to boosting regional energy interconnectivity, including accelerating the development of the power grid, the Trans-ASEAN Gas Pipeline, the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) efforts. The ministers welcomed plans to sign an enhanced memorandum of understanding on the ASEAN Power Grid and endorse a new framework for subsea power cable development within the year. The statement also highlighted progress made on the Laos-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project and acknowledged ongoing talks on the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines integration project. The 58th AMM and related meetings, hosted under Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, concluded on July 11 with renewed focus on regional energy security and sustainability. Related
The Star
21 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Asean rises as a strategic fulcrum in changing world order
PUTRAJAYA, July 14 (Bernama): The 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and related meetings, which capped off successfully last Friday, undoubtedly strengthened Asean as a central player in regional diplomacy amid heightened geopolitical competition. Far from serving as a mere forum for dialogue, Asean has been increasingly seen as a key actor capable of shaping the future of regional stability and security, economic cooperation and in advancing multilateralism. As the host of the 58th AMM, Malaysia has demonstrated its diplomacy finesse, leading high-level discussions among Asean Foreign Ministers and with their external partners that included major powers such as the United States, China, Russia, the European Union, India and Japan. Universiti Sains Malaysia's Associate Professor of the School of Social Sciences, Dr Benny Teh Cheng Guan, said the involvement of major powers underscores Asean's critical role in regional diplomacy and navigating the evolving power dynamics of the Indo-Pacific. He said while Beijing wants to project itself as a reliable partner through consistent economic outreach, Washington has sought to reaffirm its commitment to the region by intensifying diplomatic engagement and balancing China's growing influence. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described his first engagement at the AMM as "extraordinary", as he stressed Washington's commitment to Asean as its primary diplomatic platform in Southeast Asia, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, meanwhile, emphasised the importance of Asean as both a priority in its neighbourhood diplomacy and a foundational partner in promoting a shared regional future. He also reaffirmed Beijing's commitment to upholding a rules-based global order - anchored in United Nations (UN) principles - and pledged to continue supporting Asean's centrality in addressing regional challenges. "They are reassuring Asean of their commitment to the region, while underscoring the organisation's central role in regional diplomacy amidst big power rivalry. "It shows Asean's strength in setting the agenda and providing an indispensable platform for Asean members to strategically engage their counterparts on a wide range of issues deemed important to the bloc," Teh told Bernama. Teh also welcomed increasing global interests towards Asean, noting them as a positive development that highlights the bloc's growing influence. He said Asean's appeal stems from its unique combination of economic dynamism, political stability and a socially tech-savvy population, making the region an attractive partner in a shifting global landscape. "However, Asean should exercise caution to ensure any partnership expansion strengthens rather than burdens the bloc," he said. Teh added that the bloc must take proactive steps to reinforce its relevance, strengthen internal cooperation, and defend multilateral principles. "Asean should work closely with its dialogue partners to uphold a rules-based international order and defend multilateral norms, strengthen inter-ASEAN trade cooperation and collectively reject protectionism as well as push for reforms to deepen integration and diversify trade flows," he said. The four-day event, held under Malaysia's Asean Chairmanship 2025 with theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability', witnessed important decisions that underscored the bloc's deep-rooted principle of unity, neutrality, and inclusivity. Among the highlights was the notable progress made on the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said China will sign the Protocol of the SEANWFZ without reservation, as soon as all the documentation is ready. He also revealed that 'two to three' nuclear-weapon states (NWS) have also contacted Malaysia, as this year's Asean Chair, to resume earlier discussions on the treaty. On Myanmar, the AMM has reasserted the call for stakeholders to cease hostilities and violence, and engage in inclusive dialogue to de-escalate the ongoing crisis as precondition to holding elections. In line with this, Mohamad said he plans to go Myanmar in September to present the junta with a 'wishlist' aimed at restoring peace and democracy in the country. The AMM meeting reiterated support for Timor-Leste full accession to the bloc, which is expected to be announced in October. In conjunction with the meeting, Malaysia also co-hosted the Fourth Ministerial Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD IV) with Japan and Palestine on reconstruction in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Amid the broader agenda, a series of bilateral and trilateral meetings also took place between allies and rivals alike. One of the most closely watched meetings was between Rubio and Wang, marking their first in-person engagement since the former's appointment in January. Separately, Rubio also held a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, with discussions centred on global situations - including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, as well as on the readiness of Moscow and Washington to resume their high-level cooperation. These diplomatic interactions were not only significant, but also deeply symbolic - reflecting Asean and Malaysia's vital role as conveners of dialogue in a time of global tensions. The ministerial-level meetings may have concluded, but diplomatic efforts continue in full swing behind the scenes, laying the groundwork for the 47th Asean Summit and Related Summits that are taking place in October. - Bernama
