PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s hosting of the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (Aipa) is crucial for the country’s standing in the region and its ability to continue to attract investments, says Tan Sri Dr Johari Abdul.
The Dewan Rakyat Speaker said the successful organisation of the 46th Aipa, which will gather lawmakers from all 10 Asean members, can cement Malaysia’s status as a leading voice in the region even after its chairmanship ends in 2026.
The launch of a new song for Aipa, titled Together We Thrive, is part of the strategy to host an Aipa that will be remembered not just among Asean’s 10 members but other foreign powers who are attending as observers, he said.
The logo and new song for Aipa is aimed at nurturing a sense of belonging among Asean members and to renew their commitment to making the region peaceful and vibrant so that it continues to attract investment and grow economically, Johari added.
“When our guests see how we successfully organise these meetings, they will be inspired to give their continued support to us beyond these meetings,” he said.
“It includes strengthening bilateral relations, commercial ties and people-to-people exchanges,” Johari said after launching the logo and song at Parliament’s banquet hall yesterday.
Also present during the launch were Dewan Negara president Senator Datuk Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah and Parliament chief administrator Datuk Ahmad Husaini Abdul Rahman.
Aipa’s meetings, which include the main assembly in September, will also be attended by dignitaries from outside the region such as China, Europe, India, the Middle East and Latin America, said Johari.
These meetings will also be opportunities for Asean to double down and promote its commitment to ensuring that the region is a zone of peace and neutrality (Zofpan).
“Zofpan is important to us because we need to ensure peace because no one wants to invest in a region that is going through upheavals,” Johari said.
“Investors want good returns if they do business in the region. So we must ensure that Asean remains vibrant and peaceful”.
Malaysia took over as head of Aipa when it became the Asean chairman this year.
Among the meetings that are scheduled are:
* the 4th Meeting of the Coordinating Committee of Women Parliamentarians of Aipa in Kuching, Sarawak.
* the 8th Meeting of the Aipa Advisory Council on Dangerous Drugs in Kuantan, Pahang.
* the 2nd Consultative Meeting of Young Parliamentarians of Aipa in Selangor.
In comparison to previous Aipa meetings which had all been held in Kuala Lumpur, Johari said, this year’s meetings are spread out so that different states can reap the economic benefits.
“The meeting in Sarawak is also to help promote Sarawak as a tourism destination ahead of Visit Sarawak Year”, he added.
