ASEAN SEC-GEN TO MEET PM ANWAR DURING THREE-DAY WORKING VISIT TO MALAYSIA

By Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar

JAKARTA, Dec 1 (Bernama) -- ASEAN secretary-general Dr Kao Kim Hourn will embark on a three-day working visit to Malaysia starting Monday, where he will meet with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to discuss preparations for Malaysia’s upcoming chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025.

The visit, which comes at the invitation of Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry, was confirmed by the ASEAN Secretariat on Sunday.

According to the Secretariat, Kao’s meetings with Anwar will focus on Malaysia’s key priorities and deliverables as it takes on the ASEAN chairmanship under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability”.

He will also engage with several top Malaysian officials, including Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan; Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz; Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, and Auditor-General Datuk Seri Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi.

The discussions aim to ensure Malaysia’s comprehensive preparations for its leadership role and to provide full support, the Secretariat added.

This visit follows the Oct 11 handover of the ASEAN chairmanship from Laos to Malaysia at the closing ceremony of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits in Vientiane.

Anwar received the ASEAN chairmanship gavel from Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, officially marking Malaysia’s return to the role, set to begin on Jan 1, 2025.

Malaysia has previously held the ASEAN chairmanship in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.

-- BERNAMA