KUALA LUMPUR: The upcoming Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (Aipa) that will be hosted by Malaysia is expected to set the stage for parliamentary diplomacy in the region, said Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul.
The meetings that will lead up to the Aipa General Assembly in September will address various issues such as food security and renewable energy; digital innovation and inclusive governance; and cooperation among Asean legislatures to enhance regional stability, said Johari.
“It will touch on how Aipa 2025 fits into broader regional leadership preparations, parliamentary leadership in promoting Asean centrality amid global geopolitical shifts, and Malaysia’s proactive role in aligning Aipa’s agenda with Asean’s priorities,” said Johari in an exclusive interview,.
Johari said that as the President of Aipa this year, he aims to do things differently from his predecessors.
For example, he personally sent Aipa invitation letters to the Speakers of Asean legislatures recently, Johari said.
“I personally went to the (Asean) member countries to meet with the Speakers from each country to hand out the invitation letters personally to them.
“That has never been done before and it was very personalised for them. So, everyone is excited to come,” said Johari.
“I want to make sure that we will be different,” said Johari, adding that Malaysia’s strength is its diverse cultures.
Johari also said preparations for the meetings leading up to the 46th Aipa general assembly are going well and they are being handled by a special team in Parliament.
“Thank god, we have a special team, headed by the Chief Administrator of Parliament and of course, we are being assisted by the Foreign Ministry and other ministries.
“We have been preparing since last year - financially and physically. We already have details on the location and venues of the meeting, staffing and volunteers,” said Johari.
Johari said five Aipa meetings will be held across Malaysia, starting with the 4th Meeting of the Coordinating Committee of Women Parliamentarians of Aipa in Kuching, Sarawak in April followed by the 8th Meeting of the AIPA Advisory Council on Dangerous Drugs in Kuantan, Pahang.
Johari also said the 2nd Consultative Meeting of Young Parliamentarians of Aipa will be held in Selangor and its other related meetings will be held in Kuala Lumpur.
“This year, I decided to spread out the meetings so that other states can reap their benefits and the delegates will be able to experience the beauty of different parts of Malaysia.”
Johari also said AIipa is a platform where Asean elected representatives get together and discuss ways to enhance the cooperation and relationship between the legislative and the executive.
“It’s about how we transmit the thinking and ideas of the legislative to the executive and this needs a lot of discussions,” he said.
“Of course, we will not interfere with what’s happening in their country, as consensus is the way forward,” added Johari.
The Aipa General Assembly is scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur from Sept 17 to 20.
Johari took over as the 46th Aipa President for 2025 from Laos, in October last year.
