The concept of centrality and guarding against divisive actions by major powers is crucial for Asean, according to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister highlighted that Asean is recognized as one of the most successful regional organizations by those outside the region, especially for its ability to maintain peace, stability, security, and prosperity. Consequently, many parties, including major powers, have established relations with Asean. However, the competition among these major powers is impacting Asean’s cooperative initiatives, such as the East Asia Summit and Asean Regional Forum.
Anwar emphasized the importance of not allowing the achievements of Asean to be undermined by the unbridled rivalry among major powers. He made these remarks during the intervention at the plenary session of the 43rd Asean Summit at Jakarta Convention Centre (JCC) on Tuesday (Sept 5). The meeting took place amidst heightened tensions in the South China Sea, as China released a new map laying claims over disputed areas, triggering protests from Malaysia and other Asean members.
Anwar highlighted the unique opportunity that Asean-Plus platforms provide to bring together the competing parties and remind them of the priority to engage in dialogue and cooperation. He also stressed the need to promote healthy competition and ensure that the relations with Asean contribute to maintaining peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. Malaysia also stated its position on China’s “2023 edition of the standard map of China.”
Malaysia emphasized that issues in the South China Sea should be managed peacefully and rationally through dialogue and consultation, based on universally recognized principles of international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS). In response to China’s map, Wisma Putra, Malaysia’s foreign ministry, stated that it does not recognize China’s 2023 standard map, which claims portions of Malaysian waters near Sabah and Sarawak as belonging to China.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
