JAKARTA: Malaysia will stand to benefit from the discussions that focus on regional economy, food security and regional stability during the 43rd Asean Summit and Related Summits here this week.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is leading the Malaysian delegation to the summit, will also bring with him the Madani Malaysia government's vision in various areas to enhance cooperation within the regional bloc.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the prime minister will also hold 11 bilateral discussions with heads of government from Asean's dialogue partner nations and leaders from world bodies during the four-day summit.
He said chief among the Malaysian delegation's mission at Asean this time was the regional bloc's efforts to turn Southeast Asia into the world's centre for trade, diplomacy and investments, which is in line with Indonesia's chairmanship of Asean's theme this year, "Asean Matters: Epicentrum of Growth".
"We believe that part of his (the prime minister's) intervention will be on his vision and mission on Malaysia Madani. This encompasses cooperation to empower each country on the need to work together and to emphasise the importance of Asean centrality," he told Malaysian media ahead of the summit on Sunday.
In echoing Asean chairman Indonesia's emphasis on economic wellbeing of the regional bloc members, he said Malaysia wants all its 11 member states to be able to withstand the worldwide global economic crisis.
"In terms of strengthening economic relations, we will look at opportunities where we can find solutions in things like the global supply chain.
"We are living in an open economy and as a regional association, we are obliged to look together at more cohesive cooperation. Asean must be protected in the global economic crisis we are facing today," he said.
Zambry said Malaysia, like other Asean states needed to be independent when it comes to food security and this will be among what Anwar will highlight during the summit.
Asked about issues surrounding China's recent mapping of its territories in the region, Zambry said Asean would not focus on only one issue with its partner, but all arising matters on this platform.
"I am meeting with Asean's senior officials and from there on, we will take a concerted approach and discussion will be held on issues that will be brought forth to us.
"It will begin at the (Asean) foreign ministers-level first and a series of discussions will take place. There are quite a number of issues that have to be addressed and this is not just focused on issues of the day."
"These will be widely discussed on this platform. We will present the avenues for solutions if there are any conflicts and other issues and this will be done within the framework of Asean and our partners based on what we collectively agree upon," said Zambry.
He also confirmed that Asean members will meet China's premier Li Qiang during the 26th Asean-China summit on Wednesday.
On Aug 28, China's Natural Resources Ministry released its 2023 China Standard Map, which included a significant portion of Malaysian waters near Sabah and Sarawak, as well as various regions in India being claimed by China.
The map also incorporated disputed areas, including claims over Arunachal Pradesh, the Aksai Chin region, Taiwan and the South China Sea.
It also included maritime areas within Malaysia's exclusive economic zone near Sabah and Sarawak, Brunei, the Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Zambry said Anwar Ibrahim will have a packed schedule as he will hold 11 bilateral meetings with heads of governments and world body leaders on the sidelines of the summit.
Anwar will hold bilateral discussions with Republic of Korea president Yoon Suk Yeol, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, United States vice-president Kamal Harris, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Mohammed Shahabuddin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Timor Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao. He will also hold bilateral talks with United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres and World Economic Forum founder and executive chairman Prof Klaus Schwab.
