PM calls for more space for Asean MPs to share views

VIENTIANE: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged the legislatures of countries under the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (Aipa) to give more space to their elected representatives to speak.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said Anwar conveyed this wish at during the 13th Asean-Aipa Leaders’ Interface during the 44th and 45th Asean Summits here on Wednesday (Oct 9) afternoon.

“The Prime Minister said legislatures should give more space to their members to speak without limits, so their views can turn into new ideas," Johari told reporters at a hotel here on Wednesday evening.

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Johari said matters raised at the 13th Asean-Aipa Leaders’ Interface included the importance of close relations among governments and their respective legislatures.

“This is to ensure that the executive branch can respond to the people’s wishes,” he added.

On security and regional cooperation, Johari said Malaysia wants to ensure that it maintains peace and neutrality in the region.

“This is so that investors can see that we are among the most peaceful regions in this area," he said.

Other issues included the need to use the Asean platform to its fullest for technology and information exchange to benefit all member nations.

Lastly, Johari said the meeting also spoke about the need for Asean to be neutral in resolving the ongoing Myanmar crisis.

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“We must pave the way for engagement to take place and the opportunity for Myanmar to fix itself (to arise),” he added.

Johari also said he will return to Vientiane on Oct 18 to receive the chairmanship of Aipa from Laos.

“We will make the necessary preparations. We have learnt a lot from last year’s Aipa in Indonesia and in Laos this year.

“So, next year, we must be among the best,” said Johari.

“The whole world is watching us now. The Prime Minister has gone around the world and now people want to see (what) we can do."

Johari is set to return to Malaysia on Thursday (Oct 10).

It is understood that he will not be chairing the Oct 18 Parliament meeting when Budget 2025 is to be tabled.

Sources have indicated that Deputy Speaker Datuk Dr Ramli Mohd Nor will chair the Oct 18 session instead.

The next Parliament meeting will take place from Oct 14 to Dec 12.