8-9-2023 (JAKARTA) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the Prime Minister, has called upon the international community to break its silence regarding ongoing conflicts in Myanmar, Russia-Ukraine, North Korea, and Palestine. Addressing the 11th East Asia Summit held in conjunction with the 43rd ASEAN Summit and other related summits in Jakarta, Anwar Ibrahim emphasized Malaysia’s concerns about these regional crises.
He expressed worry over the situation in North Korea, particularly highlighting the continuous launches of ballistic missiles and the nuclear program, which blatantly contravene United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Anwar Ibrahim also stressed that ASEAN could not turn a blind eye to the troubles in Myanmar. He acknowledged the responsibility of handling over 200,000 refugees from Myanmar, making it impossible for the region to ignore these concerns.
Furthermore, he underscored the need for addressing the issues in Ukraine, calling for meaningful dialogue to achieve a peaceful resolution. Anwar Ibrahim acknowledged that while not openly discussed, many were concerned about the disproportionate treatment in the recent Ukraine conflict compared to the 75-year conflict in the occupied Palestinian territory.
During the summit, notable figures such as US Vice-President Kamala Harris, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi were in attendance, providing an opportunity for direct, high-level diplomacy among nations.
Anwar Ibrahim insisted that the international community must not overlook Israel’s continuous assault against the fundamental rights, livelihoods, and dignity of Palestinians of all faiths on their native land.
Additionally, the Prime Minister raised concerns about the global rise of fascism and Islamophobia, reaffirming his stance that defaming any religion constitutes an infringement of human rights and a derogation of the right to religion and belief.
He called upon the prominent leaders present at the forum to collectively address these pressing issues. Anwar Ibrahim stressed that the current geopolitical dynamics necessitate a strengthened commitment to the fundamental principles of the East Asia Summit among participating countries.
To preserve peace, prosperity, and stability in the Asia-Pacific and Indian regions, Anwar Ibrahim urged partners to work alongside ASEAN in implementing the four key areas outlined in the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. These areas include maritime cooperation, connectivity, sustainable development goals (SDGs), and economic cooperation.
