Malaysia Must Be Effective ASEAN Chair To Resolve Regional Issues - Mohamad Hasan

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 24 (Bernama) -- Malaysia must play a pivotal role in ensuring its chairmanship of ASEAN next year is effective by addressing various regional issues. 

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri 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 ASEAN Chair next year. The whole world will be watching us, and they want to see Malaysia as an effective chair.

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"A chairmanship 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," he said during his closing speech at the UMNO General Assembly 2024 today.

Meanwhile, Mohamad 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," he 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 Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

"President Lula had a phone conversation with the Prime Minister, inviting Malaysia to join BRICS," he said.

-- BERNAMA