KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today urged Asean to earn, re-earn and fortify its unity, cohesion and centrality to withstand escalating geopolitical rivalry and complex regional contemporary challenges.
In his Presidential Lecture and Acceptance of the Conferment of the Grand Collar of the Order of Timor-Leste di Dili, Anwar emphasised that Asean cohesion and centrality should never be taken for granted.
“Asean has gone through thick and thin, persevered and grown. Yet the lessons of the past few years reinforce what our founding fathers knew back then – our unity, cohesion and centrality are not a given. They have waxed and waned through our nearly six decades of existence.
“Rhetoric aside, Asean’s cohesion and centrality must be earned and re-earned and fortified. A divided Asean will only hamper the collective vision for a peaceful and prosperous region. Therefore, efforts toward Asean unity must continue, especially when the region is facing myriad challenges,” he said.
Anwar is on a historic two-day official visit to Timor-Leste, which began yesterday, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and supporting the nation’s imminent accession as Asean’s 11th member. — Bernama
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