00:00How critical is the unified ASEAN approach in our tariff negotiations with the US?
00:06And how can Malaysia engage our neighbours in facing this mammoth challenge?
00:11Earlier today, Taylor's University launches its Distinguished Diplomat Series
00:15with a dialogue on Malaysia-Singapore relations.
00:18For a snapshot of the conversation there,
00:21our correspondent Lauren Tan speaks to former Malaysian Ambassador Datuk Dr. Ilanggo Karupanyan.
00:27Today, we're here at Taylor's Lakeside Campus for Taylor's Distinguished Diplomat Series.
00:35Joining here with us is Datuk Dr. Ilanggo Karupanan.
00:38Dr. Ilanggo is a former Malaysian Ambassador and currently an Adjunct Professor in Taylor's University.
00:45Dr. Ilanggo, how vital is a unified ASEAN country approach
00:50to resolving the issues of tariffs to each of the member countries?
00:55Thank you very much.
00:56I think you chose a very important word, unified approach.
01:01Well, insofar as the tariffs are concerned,
01:04you all know that the tariffs are of different levels, right?
01:07So, obviously, you cannot have a common approach.
01:11But unified approach means that the 10 countries can agree to deal with the US
01:18on explaining the positions of how the tariffs hurt bilateral relations between America and Southeast Asia.
01:26So, a unified approach would allow us to explain to the Americans that ASEAN is important to them.
01:33So, therefore, our collective voice would convey the concerns of the member countries that these tariffs should be looked in a bigger context
01:44rather than, you know, very micro, let's say, trade perspective alone.
01:49So, I agree with your term, unified, in the sense that we must be collective in that sense.
01:54But as far as the tariffs per se, that has to be dealt with bilaterally, individually.
01:59But, you know, collectively, I mean, the big message across.
02:02Thank you so much.
02:04And given the strategic importance of both Malaysia and Singapore in ASEAN,
02:09how can the two nations collaborate more effectively in shaping regional responses
02:14to global challenges like climate change or technological disruption?
02:20Well, Malaysia and Singapore have led the way in many areas
02:24as two countries which have been actually at the forefront in terms of coming up with solutions.
02:30Now that we have just heard about, you know, this new thing that we are looking at,
02:35the Joe Singapore Special Economic Zone.
02:37Sorry, I'm touching on a little bit on the economic side.
02:40But the point I want to emphasize is that these two countries have been sort of forerunners
02:45in showing that countries can take an integrated approach.
02:49Now, you brought specific examples of climate change and technological disruptions.
02:54These are very big issues.
02:56Actually, climate change is a huge problem.
02:57It does not only involve Malaysia and Singapore.
03:02But we can collectively pass the message that we, all of ASEAN,
03:07plus our neighbours around ASEAN have to play a role in terms of what we call environment.
03:12But technological disruption, I think Malaysia and Singapore, you know,
03:15are among the two countries which are very high levels of technology adoption.
03:20I'm not sure exactly because I'm not a technologist myself per se, right?
03:24But I think we can show the way that, you know, two countries can look and work together
03:29and come up with creative ideas to, you know, address a problem.
03:33Like the ambassador mentioned just now, creative solutions is what we are all known for.
03:37And I think that's where our strength lies.
03:40Thank you so much, Dr. Irlango.
03:42That's all we have for today.
03:44I'm Lauren Tan.
03:46And back to you at the studios.
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