Trade war, Rakhine among issues to be discussed at 34th Asean Summit

By RN Alagesh- June 19, 2019 @ 8:19pm

BANGKOK: The impact of the trade war between the United States and China, the South China Sea dispute, Myanmar’s Rakhine State conflict and terrorism are among issues that will be raised during the 34th Asean Summit which will be attended by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Asean-Malaysia National Secretariat director-general Datuk Ahmad Rozian Abd Ghani said some of the current issues which have impact Malaysia and the region could be raised during the Asean Summit and Related Summits which begins tomorrow (June 20) until June 23.

“I am sure the trade war among the two big countries (US and China) which will have an impact on us will be among the items discussed….. others including the South China Sea, Rakhine, along with terrorism and violent extremism threats, have to be highlighted so that we can cooperate together to help address the problems.

“During the summit’s retreat, leaders will exchange views on regional and international issues of common concern. Current issues that impact Asean will be raised to ensure more stability and bring benefits, especially in terms of economic growth,” he told reporters during a briefing to the Malaysian media here today.

Ahmad Rozian said apart than the retreat session at the Asean Summit Plenary scheduled on Saturday, the leaders will hold discussions on issues relating to the summit’s theme, “Advancing Partnership for Sustainability” in their bid to help spur Asean progress to a higher level.

He said Malaysia supports the theme introduced under the chairmanship of Thailand this year, and would look into the type of cooperation that they could embark on working together.

“This theme involves a huge aspect… it is not only about climate change but also involves the economy and political stability. The leaders are expected to discuss the initiative taken by Thailand and also look at what other Asean countries can do to organise programmes that will benefit the region,” he said.

He said four outcome documents were expected to be adopted at the summit, namely Asean Leaders’ Vision Statement on “Partnership for Sustainability”, An Asean Indo-Pacific Outlook, Bangkok Declaration on Combating Marine Debris in the Region and Asean Leaders’ Statement on the Asean Cultural Year 2019.

Meanwhile, Malaysian ambassador to Thailand Datuk Jojie Samuel, who was present at the press conference, said Dr Mahathir, who will lead the Malaysia delegation at the summit and related meetings, will begin his programme (at the Asian Summit) by participating in three interfaces on June 22, namely the Asean leaders’ interface with representatives of Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), Asean leaders’ interface with representatives of Asean Youth, and Asean leaders’ interface with representatives of Asean Business Advisory Council (Asean-Bac).

“After the interfaces, the Asean Summit Plenary will be convened followed by the gala dinner hosted by Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha for the Asean Leaders and Asean Secretary-Generals.

“On June 23, after the Asian Summit’s opening ceremony and retreat, Dr Mahathir will attend the 13th Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit followed by the 12th Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) Summit.,” he said.

Dr Mahathir has a packed schedule following his arrival at the Royal Thai Air Force Base tomorrow (Thursday) evening.

Dr Mahathir, who will lead the Malaysian delegation, will be accompanied by his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Ali, Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Ignatius Darrel Leiking and Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, along with senior Malaysian government officials.

In his third visit to the kingdom since assuming premiership for the second time, the prime minister will launch the inaugural “Malaysia Fest 2019” at the Central World shopping mall here on June 21 where Malaysia’s rich multi-ethnic culture, performances, food and Malaysian-made products will be displayed to the public.

​Later the same day, Dr Mahathir will attend the “Malaysia-Thailand Business Dialogue”, a roundtable business meeting with Thailand’s captains of industry at the Shangri-La Hotel.

Meanwhile, Dr Siti Hasmah is expected to participate in the Spouse Programme, hosted by the Thai prime minister’s wife Associate Professor Naraporn Chan-o-cha, which includes a tour of the National Museum of Royal Barges, demonstration of Thai handicraft and traditional Thai appetisers and desserts by the Royal Traditional Thai Crafts School for Women, and a lunch hosted by Naraporn Chan-o-cha.

Both she and Dr Mahathir are expected to depart for Malaysia around 6.30pm on June 23.