Photo: Bernama
PETALING JAYA: The 42nd Asean Summit 2023, which concluded on Thursday (May 11) in Labuan Bojo, Indonesia, was a meaningful one as member states have strengthened and solidified partnerships across the region, the Prime Minister says.
Speaking to Malaysian media in Labuan Bajo, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that the partnerships in the economic sectors, electric car ecosystem, currency trade and digital payments across countries were agreed upon, which would lead to a stronger Asean.
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He added that this was proof that Asean was still strong despite several parties considering the regional bloc to be "quite weak" in facing future issues.
According to the Prime Minister, Asean also agreed that the implementation of the Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) remains as the main mechanism in inter-country relations within the Indo-Pacific, adding that the AOIP is more balanced and ensures the security, stability and prosperity of the region while also encouraging open partnerships that are also inclusive and sustainable.
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"Leaders are united in strengthening Asean as free zone and to avoid being involved in the competitions between the super powers" he said.
He added that the leaders have agreed to maintain and defend Asean's position as a free zone and to avoid being involved in
"Leaders are united in strengthening Asean as free zone and to avoid being involved in the competitions between the super powers."
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His pushing for the establishment of an Asia Monetary Fund to strengthen economic dependence and as a safety net for the region was also received positively by Asean leaders.
However the matter was not discussed in length and is still in its early stages.
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Regarding the Myanmar issue, Anwar said that all leaders were in union to defend the principle of the Five Point Consensus (5PC) in solving the conflict and in managing humanitarian aid.
"Our stand is clear because prolonging the issue will bring more burdens to the Rohingyans and also to Malaysia that currently has over 200,000 refugees.
Both Anwar and his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail left the Komodo International Airport at around 2pm Thursday. - BERNAMA
