JAKARTA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will lead a high-level delegation to attend the 43rd Asean Summit and related summits here, aimed at discussing various issues including strengthening bilateral ties, boosting the economy, food security and regional stability.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said, the Prime Minister who will arrive on Monday (Sept 4), was expected to attend 11 meetings with heads of governments and leaders of world bodies including US Vice-President Kamala Harris, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, among others.
"Throughout the Prime Minister's visit to Indonesia, based on his current schedule, it will be packed.
"The prime minister expresses his intention of making full use of his time to boost the ties between Malaysia and other countries.
"This is the perfect opportunity for Malaysia to improve ties with those who are attending the summit in various aspects," he told a press conference here on Sunday (Sept 3).
The 43rd Asean Summit is scheduled to take place between Sept 5 and 7.
The Asean Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF) – the summit’s flagship event – will start on Tuesday (Sept 5).
On Wednesday (Sept 6), Asean will hold talks with its dialogue partners, including China, South Korea, Japan, the US, and Canada, respectively. Wednesday’s agenda includes an Asean Plus Three (APT) Summit.
The APT is an economic cooperation that encompasses the 10 Asean member states, Japan, China, and South Korea.
During this visit, Anwar will be accompanied by Zambry and Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, as well as other high-ranking government officials.
Zambry said that Anwar is expected to meet with the Malaysian diaspora, youths as well as a group of social media influencers here during his trip.
Asked whether the Asean meeting with China will colour the discussion of the summit, Dr Zambry said that it will not be focused only on one issue.
"This summit will focus on all aspects, as the discussion between Asean and its dialogue partners is nothing new.
"For instance, in the context of Asean and China, this will be its 26th meeting with China.
"In terms of the issues that we are facing, we will not focus just on one issue.
"The summit be the platform of ties and how we will look it in a larger context," said Zambry
"At the same time, we will table our solutions in an effort for Asean and those related as its partners to discuss based on mutually agreed matters in order for us to find a solution in case we have any form of conflicts, for instance," added Zambry.
On Aug 31, Malaysia said that it does not recognise China’s claims in the South China Sea as outlined in the "China Standard Map Edition 2023", which also encompasses Malaysia’s maritime areas, says the Foreign Ministry.
The map holds no binding authority over Malaysia, it said in a statement.
"The map, among other things, displays China’s unilateral maritime claims that encroach upon Malaysia’s maritime areas in Sabah and Sarawak based on the 1979 Malaysia New Map," noted Wisma Putra.
Other issues that are expected to be discussed include addressing global supply chain, border security issues and Asean solidarity, he said.
"One of the issues is the global supply chain and we need to address this as we are living in an open economy.
"So, we are obliged as a regional association to act in a more cohesive manner.
"Asean must be protected amidst the global economic crisis," he said.
