Malaysia Will Continue To Support Efforts To Strengthen ASEAN Community -- Mohamad Hasan

By Zarul Effendi Razali

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will continue to fully support efforts to strengthen and advance the ASEAN Community, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.

"On behalf of the government and the people of Malaysia, thank you once again for being here in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia will continue to lend its full support towards strengthening and advancing our ASEAN Community," he said in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

Mohamad expressed appreciation to all who contributed to the success of Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship and the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, which concluded here on Tuesday.

"It was a massive collective effort that made both the 47th Summit and Related Summits possible, and that supported Malaysia's stewardship of ASEAN at every step of this meaningful journey," he said.

He extended gratitude to ASEAN Heads of State and Government, Foreign Ministers, and Dialogue Partners, including Australia, Canada, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea and the United States.

"I also wish to thank the Secretary-General of ASEAN, representatives of ASEAN entities, our friends from Finland, the European Council, FIFA, the IMF, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and the World Bank," he said.

Mohamad also expressed appreciation to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his leadership and fellow Cabinet Ministers for their cooperation throughout Malaysia's Chairmanship year.

He commended the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) for their efficient coordination and dedication during the series of high-level gatherings, describing their contribution as "a reassuring constant".

The Foreign Minister also thanked Malaysians for their support and cooperation during Malaysia's tenure as ASEAN Chair.

"I thank my fellow Malaysians for the cooperation you have shown through the 46th and 47th Summits, and for so wholeheartedly embodying the spirit of solidarity and kinship that defines Southeast Asia," he said.

Reflecting on the summit, Mohamad said Malaysia and ASEAN had achieved meaningful progress and charted a new strategic direction in deepening diplomatic and trade relations with other regions.

"We have made history this Summit by expanding ASEAN's scope to include our friends in Timor-Leste, a nation built on endless perseverance and hope," he added.

Mohamad concluded by expressing hope that ASEAN would continue to prosper as a united and resilient community.

"May our partnerships continue to flourish, and may we face the future as one ASEAN Community – united, resilient, and ever stronger," he said.

Malaysia has previously chaired ASEAN in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015.

-- BERNAMA