VIENTIANE: Asean must be bold and courageous in sending a clear message of unity to the world as global tensions continue to rise, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He also urged the 10 Asean member nations to drive cooperation in the region and reject any attempts to cause division from within.
“As global tensions continue to rise and polarisation appears to prevail over integration, cracks and divisions within Asean run the risk of being exploited to the detriment of Asean centrality and cohesiveness.
“Hence, it behooves us, Asean member states, to reject overtures that are predisposed to causing division,” he said in his opening remarks at the 44th Asean Summit at the National Convention Centre (NCC) here on Wednesday (Oct 9).
“Asean must be unflinching and resolute in sending a clear message to the world – that Asean is and must remain united and will continue to be the key driver of peace, security and cooperation in the region,” he added.
Anwar also said it is important that Asean continues to nurture relations with its dialogue and external partners.
“We cannot over-stress the importance of dialogue and cooperation forming the fundamentals of amity and good relations.
“Therefore, we encourage our dialogue partners to manage their differences in order to obtain positive outcomes,” he said during the closed-door session.
Anwar also said it is important for Asean member countries to strengthen regional cooperation, restructure their economies, leverage one another’s strengths, and secure regional linkages to the global economy.
“I believe that if we pursue this course with determination and commitment, Asean can achieve economic resilience and be on track to become the fourth largest economy by 2030,” added Anwar.
Meanwhile, he said Timor-Leste’s inclusion as a full member of Asean would bode well for the regional economic bloc.
“Malaysia looks forward to the recommendations from our senior officials on measures to facilitate Timor-Leste’s early full membership into Asean,” he said.
Anwar also said that as Malaysia prepares to assume the chairmanship of Asean next year, it is committed to build a more inclusive and sustainable future for the region.
Later in the day, Anwar is expected to attend several related summits such as the Asean Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of Asean Inter-Parliamentary (Aipa).
He is also expected to meet the Timor-Leste Prime Minister in a closed-door bilateral meeting, followed by the Asean Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of the Asean Business Advisory Council, and the Asean Leaders’ Interface with Representatives of Asean Youth.
After that, he is scheduled to have a closed-door bilateral meeting with the Singapore Prime Minister and will end the day at a dinner hosted by the Malaysian Ambassador to Laos at Rumah Malaysia here.
The 44th and 45th Asean Summit and Related Summit began on Wednesday and will continue until Friday (Oct 11).
