PM to Lead Malaysia at 49th ASEAN Summit

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to lead the Malaysian delegation to the 49th ASEAN Summit in Manila, the Philippines, which will take place from tomorrow until Tuesday.

He is expected to be accompanied by his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail; Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan; and Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.

The Prime Minister is expected to begin his schedule in Manila by attending the plenary and retreat sessions of the 49th ASEAN Summit, as well as engagement sessions between ASEAN leaders and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) and ASEAN youth.

The following day, he is scheduled to attend ASEAN summits with China, the United Nations (UN), Australia and South Korea before departing for Malaysia in the afternoon.

Malaysia’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Datuk Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino Anthony, said Anwar’s participation at the highest level reflected Malaysia’s commitment to continuing to play an active role in shaping ASEAN’s direction in political and security, economic and sociocultural matters.

“This summit provides a strategic platform for direct engagement with leaders of ASEAN Member States and Dialogue Partners, fostering dialogue on pressing shared challenges while strengthening key bilateral relations,” he said today.

He said that upon the Prime Minister’s return to Malaysia, Anwar would welcome French President Emmanuel Macron, who is making an official visit to the country on Tuesday.

“The Prime Minister is scheduled to return to Manila on Tuesday afternoon to attend the ASEAN-United States (US) Special Summit and a dinner hosted by the President of the Republic of the Philippines,” he said.

During Anwar’s return to Malaysia, Mohamad will lead the country’s delegation to several meetings and summits, including the 29th ASEAN Plus Three Summit, the 4th Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Leaders’ Meeting, the ASEAN summits with Japan and India, and the 21st East Asia Summit.

At the same time, during the ASEAN Summit in Manila, the Prime Minister is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from ASEAN member states to discuss current issues.

UTUSAN MALAYSIA