Effectively resolve issues as Asean chair next year, minister says

Malaysia must ensure that it is effective once it assumes the chairpersonship of Asean next year by addressing various regional issues.

Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said this includes being an Asean chair that can resolve challenges in the South China Sea and the situation in Myanmar.

“If possible, let us in Umno work together to promote Malaysia’s role as the Asean chair next year,” said the Umno deputy president.

“The whole world will be watching us, and they want to see Malaysia as an effective chair.

“A chairpersonship that can resolve the South China Sea disputes, the Myanmar crisis, and the maritime boundary issues among littoral states in Southeast Asia.

“This is a significant responsibility for Malaysia, and we must achieve it together,” Mohamad said during his closing speech at the Umno general assembly 2024 today.

Meanwhile, he clarified that Malaysia’s participation in the Brics economic union, led by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is driven by economic benefits rather than any intention to join a defence treaty.

He noted that Brics currently accounts for 37 percent of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP) and represents about 41 percent of the global population.

“Brics is not a group that requires us to sign any treaties. It is an informal alliance where we voice the concerns of the Global South, which has long been marginalised, and ensure we are heard by the international community,” Mohamad said.

He added that Malaysia’s involvement came about after an invitation from Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who personally called Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

“President Lula had a phone conversation with the prime minister, inviting Malaysia to join Brics,” he said.

- Bernama

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