Asean must collaborate to resolve South China Sea dispute, says Anwar

Free Malaysia Today

The prime minister decries the portrayal of China as aggressive and confrontational, saying it is a narrative promoted by ‘Western capitalists’.   Read More:  https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2024/11/07/asean-must-collaborate-to-resolve-south-china-sea-dispute-says-anwar/   Laporan Lanjut:  https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/tempatan/2024/11/07/asean-mesti-kerjasama-selesai-pertikaian-laut-china-selatan-kata-anwar/   Free Malaysia Today is an independent, bi-lingual news portal with a focus on Malaysian current affairs.    Subscribe to our channel - http://bit.ly/2Qo08ry   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Check us out at https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com  Follow FMT on Facebook: https://bit.ly/49JJoo5  Follow FMT on Dailymotion: https://bit.ly/2WGITHM  Follow FMT on X: https://bit.ly/48zARSW  Follow FMT on Instagram: https://bit.ly/48Cq76h  Follow FMT on TikTok : https://bit.ly/3uKuQFp  Follow FMT Berita on TikTok: https://bit.ly/48vpnQG  Follow FMT Telegram - https://bit.ly/42VyzMX  Follow FMT LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/42YytEb  Follow FMT Lifestyle on Instagram: https://bit.ly/42WrsUj  Follow FMT on WhatsApp: https://bit.ly/49GMbxW  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Download FMT News App:  Google Play – http://bit.ly/2YSuV46  App Store – https://apple.co/2HNH7gZ  Huawei AppGallery - https://bit.ly/2D2OpNP   #FMTExclusive #AnwarIbrahim #China #Asean #SouthChinaSea

Transcript

00:00We have problems, as most countries have problems, with all our neighbours.

00:04We have with Thailand, we have with Singapore, we have with Brunei, with Indonesia.

00:08But these problems does not in any way affect our strong bond of friendship and cooperation.

00:18In an exclusive interview with FMT, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said

00:22ASEAN must work together to defend against China's claims of sovereignty over the South China Sea.

00:30Prime Minister, you mentioned the South China Sea.

00:32Obviously, that's a very contentious issue right now.

00:35On one hand, Malaysia has recently joined BRICS as a partner nation,

00:39indicating a closer alignment with China.

00:43But on the other hand, we know that China is increasingly expansionist in the South China Sea

00:48and being a little bit aggressive in terms of what Malaysia says is the EEZ.

00:56How do you intend to balance these competing interests,

00:58especially as China is one of our main trading partners?

01:01We try and work to resolve this through bilateral mechanisms,

01:08through multilateral and ASEAN mechanisms.

01:10We do discuss, we do express our concern,

01:14we do encourage our colleagues within ASEAN to also do likewise.

01:20The Prime Minister, however, countered attempts to portray China as aggressive,

01:25saying such narratives often emanate from Western capitalists.

01:29He expressed confidence that all disputes can be resolved amicably,

01:33as is done within the ASEAN grouping.

01:38They have made claims, we have made claims ourselves,

01:41what is considered to be ours.

01:44And we have problems, as most countries have problems with all our neighbours.

01:48We have with Thailand, we have with Singapore, we have with Brunei, with Indonesia.

01:52But these problems does not in any way affect our strong bond of friendship and cooperation.

02:00Anwar also assured that Malaysia's recent admission as a BRICS partner country,

02:05in which China plays a significant role,

02:08would not weaken the country's ability to defend against China's claims to Malaysian waters.

02:14Separately, with Malaysia preparing to chair ASEAN next year,

02:18Anwar said he is focused on strengthening trade and economic collaboration among its members.

02:24We have a good example having the ASEAN grid, because energy is the critical issue now.

02:30We have a grid about the issue of digitalisation among the ASEAN countries.

02:35And then, of course, intra-ASEAN trade should be given a priority.

02:41So my challenge and my colleagues is, of course,

02:44to how to effectively execute these policies into action in this one year.

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