THE government spent an estimated RM12mil to host the 46th Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (Aipa) General Assembly this year, says Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
She said the expenditure covered venue rental, accommodation, meals, transport and logistics for delegates, and was carried out in line with financial procedures and prudent spending practices.
“In accordance with the Aipa Statute, the host country is required to bear the costs for the head of delegation and spouse, 15 parliamentarians and two secretaries from each Aipa member country,” she said in a written reply on Wednesday.
She said the amount also included costs for related meetings held throughout the year, including the Coordination Meeting of Women Parliamentarians of Aipa in Kuching from April 21 to 24, the 2nd Consultative Meeting of Young Parliamentarians of Aipa in Klang from May 5 to 8, the 14th Asean-Aipa Leaders’ Interface during the 46th Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur from May 24 to 27, and the 8th Meeting of the Aipa Advisory Council on Dangerous Drugs in Kuantan from June 9 to 12.
She said the assembly, themed “Parliament at the Forefront for Inclusive Growth and a Sustainable Asean”, helped elevate Malaysia’s diplomatic standing and strengthen parliamentary diplomacy among Aipa member and observer countries, in line with Malaysia’s role as Asean Chair in 2025.
According to Azalina, the 46th Aipa General Assembly, held from Sept 16 to 22 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, was attended by parliamentarians and officials from 10 Asean nations, 19 observer countries and five development partners.
“Throughout the conference, standing committees on political, economic, social, organisational, as well as youth and women parliamentarians deliberated and finalised 42 resolutions.
“These resolutions serve as reference documents in the formulation of policies and laws in Aipa member countries, including Malaysia, to ensure greater policy coherence and synergy across the region,” she said.
Azalina added that all resolutions were developed through consultations with relevant ministries and agencies to ensure alignment with national policies, while dialogue sessions with observer countries provided a platform to exchange views with other parliaments.
