625m people Asean's best assets: Anifah
Published on: Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Kota Kinabalu: Asean's 625 million constituents are its greatest and valuable assets which will guide the regional grouping to benefit its people through better health and education as well as welfare and quality of life.Foreign Minister Datuk Anifah Aman (pic) said this in his address to the media Monday on start of the Asean Foreign Ministers Retreat here from Jan. 27 to 28 to enhance Asean's role as a key regional player to bring peace and stability to the region as well as in global affairs as a single market and production base boosting productivity and competitiveness with economies of scales."The theme for Malaysia's Chairmanship of Asean is 'Our People, Our Community, Our Vision'. During our Chairmanship, Malaysia aims to steer Asean closer to its peoples, consistent with the central and overarching theme of a truly 'People-Centred Asean' for the realisation of our peoples' aspiration – good governance, transparency, higher standards of living, sustainable development, further empowerment of women and greater opportunity for all," Anifah said, stressing that Asean will continue to be the cornerstone of Malaysia's foreign policy.
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Asean Foreign Minister will exchange views on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, liberalisation of routes, aiding Small and Medium Enterprises to enhance more intra-Asean trade and narrow development gaps between members to be more progressive and efficient."On the South China Sea, the Asean Foreign Ministers are to exchange views in the context of the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea or DOC and the consultation towards the establishment of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea or COC."Malaysia has identified eight priorities as the Chairman of Asean in 2015. First, to formally establish the Asean Community. Efforts will be directed towards completing the remaining action lines of the three Asean Community Blueprints."Second, to develop the Asean Community's Vision and its Attendant Documents. These documents are expected to be ready for consideration by the Asean Coordinating Council (ACC) before being adopted by our leaders at the 27th Asean Summit.
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"Third, to steer Asean closer to the peoples. Malaysia believes that Asean should deliver what the Asean Community is supposed to serve – the peoples. The ultimate aim of the Asean Community must be to bring about positive change to the livelihood and well being of its 625 million constituents. There is a need for greater engagement with the peoples and stakeholders in regional community-building process."Fourth, to strengthen the development of the Small and Medium Enterprises or SMEs. SMEs make up 97 per cent of the enterprises in the region. Efforts must be made so that this segment of the industry will continue to prosper even as regional integration places SMEs under greater pressure to compete.
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"Fifth, to expand intra-Asean trade and investment through cross-border investments and trade. Despite the upward trajectory of growth in this area for the last few years, there is still a lot of room for improvement."Sixth, to strengthen Asean's institutions. In the light of changing regional and global dynamics, Asean's institutions must be further strengthened, as we accelerate the communit-building process beyond 2015 while enhancing Asean centrality. Priority must be given towards implementing the HLTF Recommendations on Strengthening the Asean Secretariat and Reviewing the Asean Organs."Seventh, to promote regional peace and security through moderation. Moderation, as one of Asean's core values, can play an important role in addressing conflicts and finding solutions to issues concerning regional peace and security."Eighth, to enhance Asean's role as a global player. Given the evolving regional and global strategic landspaces, Asean should continue to be progressive and outward-looking. Thus, Asean must maintain its centrality and exercise a proactive role as the primary driving force in an open, transparent and inclusive regional architecture.Anifah also said new Indonesian President Joko Widodo will make an official visit to Malaysia from Feb. 5 to 7.In his meeting with the visiting Indonesian Foreign minister Retno Marsudi Monday, Anifah said discussions were held over bilateral relations and issues like Indonesian workers to Malaysia, seizure of Malaysian fishing vessels and disputed border claims, besides international topics of interest to both countries.Specific topics include the matters pertaining to the 14th Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) and 11th Annual Consultation to be organised and hosted by Malaysia this year.On issues over disputed maritime borders, Anifah said both parties agree to continue dialogue and discussion with existing consultative meeting mechanism.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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