PENANG BN'S ASEAN FOUNDATION RESOLUTION TO BE PRESENTED TO PM - AHMAD ZAHID

BUTTERWORTH, Dec 15 (Bernama) -- The resolution from the 2024 Penang Barisan Nasional (BN) Convention to establish an ASEAN Foundation will be presented to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for further consideration, said BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the foundation has the potential to serve as an entity to address various regional issues such as natural disasters and health matters, including organ transplants.

He said the foundation would manage matters related to organ transplants, including funding and encouraging ASEAN member states to donate organs for the collective benefit of the region.

“Not all problems need to be solved through inter-governmental efforts, and this foundation can pool funds through contributions from ASEAN countries.

“Additionally, the funds could be used for scholarships, enabling citizens across ASEAN nations to pursue higher education. However, this proposal is subject to approval from other member states,” he told reporters after opening the 2024 Penang BN Convention here today.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Minister of Rural and Regional Development, said the foundation if realised could also serve as a legacy of the party.

The convention, attended by about 3,000 delegates, unanimously approved the resolution to establish the ASEAN Foundation.

Malaysia will assume the ASEAN Chairmanship for 2025 from Laos, beginning Jan 1 next year. 

Previously, Malaysia held the ASEAN Chairmanship four times - in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.

-- BERNAMA