Malaysia needs to promote key sectors, connectivity during ASEAN Chairmanship: scholar

As Malaysia prepares to assume the chairmanship of ASEAN next year, it must now lay out its groundwork that could benefit the country for the next 20 years, leveraging key sectors including the semiconductor, electric vehicles and digitalisation, said a scholar.

This is pivotal as it can ensure that the country’s interests are not just protected but promoted, said Director of Institute of Malaysia and International Studies, National University of Malaysia Professor Dr Sufian Jusoh.

Speaking at a forum on the Future of ASEAN under Malaysia’s Chairmanship on July 11, the scholar said that Malaysia has established its biggest achievement when it became one of the founding members of ASEAN in 1967.

Malaysia needs to promote key sectors, connectivity during ASEAN Chairmanship: scholar  -0
Director of the Institute of Malaysia and International Studies, National University of Malaysia Professor Dr Sufian Jusoh. (Photo: thesun.my)

It now can be proud of itself as it managed to be champion in certain sectors such as banking and halal economy, he said.

On connectivity, Sufian praised the Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) for connecting Malaysia, Thailand, Laos and China, stating the service will connect new trade routes and multiple inland ports across the region, including the Kontena Nasional Inland Clearance Depot (KNICD) in Selangor, Perlis Inland Port, Thailand’s Latkrabang Inland Port and the Thanaleng Dry Port in Laos, all of which are pivotal trade hubs.

The service provided by KTMB can reduce the transit time of goods between the nations, with the transit time from KNICD to Chongqing, China, expected to take only nine days compared with 14 to 21 days by sea.

According to Sufian,Malaysia’s trade with ASEAN rose by 34% to RM772 billion in 2022 from the previous year./.

VNA

World

Philippines intensifies crackdown on illegal gamers
World

Philippines intensifies crackdown on illegal gamers

Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos on December 12 ordered the police and law enforcement agencies to intensify the crackdown on illegal gaming and cyber cam hubs that continue to operate despite the ban, which will take effect by the end of December, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said.

Malaysia eyes to become global medtech hub
World

Malaysia eyes to become global medtech hub

Malaysia is on track to become a global medical technology (medtech) hub with its strong policies in attracting and executing the right investments, including the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030), said Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

Southeast Asia poised to become global AI hub
World

Southeast Asia poised to become global AI hub

In the first half of 2024, Southeast Asia (SEA) attracted over 30 billion USD in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure investments, according to the 2024 e-Conomy SEA Report from Google, Temasek, and Bain & Company.

Trends drive job openings in Thailand
World

Trends drive job openings in Thailand

Thailand reported 414,000 unemployed people in the third quarter this year, up from 401,000 year-on-year, according to the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC).