It seems that the West has always been the original morality police and its accusations are merely confessions.

50 years of Malaysia-China relations: headlines

On May 31st, 2024, Malaysia and China will celebrate 50 years of successful relations. The written essay is still WIP so in the meantime I compiled headlines and quotes from across Malaysian and Chinese media highlighting the celebration. Source of logo. They also released a song.

Xinhua - Interview: "Shared chemistry" helps build Malaysia-China relationship, says Malaysia's party leader

"It's more than just trade ties. It's more than economic linkages. It's an appreciation that we speak to common ideals, common aspirations and a shared future for the betterment of not just economy and GDP per capita alone, but the betterment of people-to-people connection," she said.

Bernama - Malaysia-China to mark golden jubilee, boost trade, diplomatic relations via MOUs — Zafrul

The Star - Chinese nationals who came, saw and conquered BM [Bahasa Malaysia, “Malaysian” or Malay, the national language]

“I feel close to the people here,” he said, attributing it to the similarity in culture with the Chinese community and the shared religion with the Malays.

“I never felt like a stranger or an outcast. Here, I feel like a Malaysian,” he said.

As for the 50 years of Malaysia-China diplomatic relations, Cui said he is proud of the close relationship between the countries.

“We are the direct beneficiaries because of the good ties. When Malaysians know that we are from China, there is so much warmth,” he said.

The Star - 50 years of enduring Malaysia-China friendship

But unlike previous Malaysian PMs and other world leaders, Anwar has always looked beyond economic and strategic opportunities.

His trips to China, from day one, have been about Chinese values and philosophy, especially the Confucian mind, and the positive commonalities with Islam.

…But his sentiment was reserved for Admiral Zheng He, or Cheng Ho as most Malaysians know him. Zheng He sailed to over 30 nations in Asia and Africa during his time. He made seven stops in Melaka, in the early 1400s. His ship was five times the size of the ship which Christopher Columbus used to cross the Atlantic.

Said Anwar: "There was a great difference between Zheng He and the others. He did not conquer the nations he visited. He sought friendship instead

…For the first time, [the academic] wrote, a Malaysian leader had displayed such a "highly appreciative outlook towards a Chinese culture and civilisational heritage’’ and had a life-long passion for Confucian-Islamic dialogue and efforts.

Malaysia became the first Asean nation to establish diplomatic relations with China at a time when China was in isolation.

As Tan Sri Nazir Razak put it, the handshake between the late Chairman Mao Zedong and the late PM Tun Abdul Razak was arguably "the most important diplomatic handshake in Malaysia’s history”.

SCMP - The Chinese eunuch who beat admiral Zheng He to Malacca, and the exchanges that followed between its rulers and China

Malacca in present-day Malaysia was once a sultanate ruling over an extensive territory. As such it had regular exchanges with China’s Ming dynasty court

With Portuguese invading, China, as Malacca’s protector, called on vassals to go to its defence in its hour of need, but in vain. Thus did colonial rule begin

CHINA DAILY - Ambassador: China-Malaysia relations at their peak

Xinhua - Chinese premier meets Malaysia's deputy PM

New Strait Times - Public university branch in China will strengthen Malaysia-China relations, says senator

There are a lot of events and other news articles on this but I'll stop here. The point I am trying to showcase here is that the basis Malaysia-China of relations are much more holistic than just economics. It is about history, culture and civilisation - something that Amerika lacks and will never understand.

SEA Headlines

Global Times - US hypes over ‘military base’ in Southeast Asia aim to turn China into a ‘threat’

SCMP - Malaysia’s Anwar under pressure to ditch airport [privatization] deal with BlackRock entity over Israel arms links

VietnamPlus - Vietnam’s bamboo diplomacy gains Russian scholars’ interest

The Bangkok Post - Q1 GDP grows 1.5% y/y, above forecast

Vastly below the growth of the rest of the ASEAN-5.

Xinhua - China-ASEAN economic, trade prospects remain bright -- experts

VietnamPlus- Vietnam's foreign policy, defence strategy introduced in Venezuela

Random site - China and ASEAN countries are rapidly rising in the global university rankings

The rankings suggest that Asian countries, led by China, will become more dominant in academic research in the next decade, potentially changing the global landscape of higher education and science.

VietNam News - Gov't defines electronic money, Bitcoin not included

The Strait Times - MAS [Monetary Authority of Singapore], China’s central bank plan further collaboration in green finance

I think we are mostly in agreement here. I don’t see the need to continue the conversation.

Also what country's communist party are you talking about if you don't mind me asking? That sounds wild

It’s the Communist Party of Malaya. Be warned though, the history of the party is incredibly sad from start to finish. Sad in a “it could be so much more” kind of way, that is.

Other leftists didn't give support, but Tudeh did and their suppression in the early 80s is not their fault

There are conflicting viewpoints on this from what I have read. I am not an expert in Iranian affairs so I’ll leave it to the historians and the Iranian people to sort out the details.

And to be clear op is wrong and we shouldn't be celebrating Raisi dying. This benefits no one but the enemies of the Palestine and the global south

That’s the point I was trying to make. This obsession and fixation of other countries’ political histories without humility and understanding of the global dynamics at play.

I could write a long essay about the communist party in my own country whose first leader was a triple agent of both the japanese imperialists and british colonizers. This nuance, although accurate, is irrelevant when discussing 21st century politics. There’s a reason why I never mentioned it in my previous comments covering southeast asian history.

The Tudeh party had relevance, back in 70s and 80s but not now. It really is a joke to discuss it now, like Iran is singlehandedly upholding the global capitalist system, and also when many muslims in the Global South deeply respect Iran and their president.

From what I see, many of Iran’s ills are directly because of Western sanctions and interventions. Not to mention the very tangible, material gains that the Iranian revolution had facilitated up to the present day, internally, and externally through the Axis of Resistance.

Why discuss something in public that will just play into anti-communist, or in this case imperialist, propaganda? Why distract ourselves from the important issue of US imperialism? What did Iran do to capture the heart of so many “well-meaning” westerners that they froth at their mouth at a slight mention of Iran?

But he was deeply right wing

Define “deeply right wing”.

Did you know Iran has a public holiday celebrating the nationalization of their oil industry from UK/US imperialists?

Do you know that the Iranian constitution protects the welfare of it’s citizens and guarantees free healthcare and education?

and murdered communists during the Revolution.

Because communists can never make any major mistakes, could never host opportunists and collaborators, could never become divorced from the masses, especially in the Islamic world.

I implore people who perpetuate the perception that Iran as “deeply right wing” take this logic to it’s final conclusions - by that standard, which Islamic country is not “deeply right wing”?

May aswell sentence every Islamic country as backward rightwing shitholes. Since apparently the Iranian Revolution - one of the most progressive Islamic mass movements in modern history - is right wing.

We muslims, instead, need to listen to the Communists who could not even organise the members of their own book club, let alone the masses!

No dialectics, just aesthetics - with an inbuilt victim complex to boot.

(Note I realise after typing this comment it seems I am being very antagonistic to the OP in particular, but I am not. It’s just a trend and sentiment I noticed that permeates a lot of discourse surrounding Iran and communism in the Islamic world more generally that I feel like needs to be addressed. I hold no ill-will to OP or anyone in particular that has fallen into Western propaganda.)

SEA Headlines

Rare 2nd post in a week

MIDA - MIDA and LONGi Driving the Solar Ecosystem Forward at The Solar Synergistics Conference 2024

China paving the way for the green transition in other Global South countries.

I wonder why the USITC is continuing their investigation of alleged “unfair trade practices” in Southeast Asian countries in solar production and export.

The Manila Times - 2nd China-ASEAN Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition Triumphs in Jakarta Finale

Another example of the robust people to people exchanges that form the basis of good diplomacy.

VietnamPlus - VIETNAMESE FAMILY VALUE SYSTEM REMAINS STRONG IN NEW ERA

The family, a unique social institution, has a significant role as the core of a nation. Through many historical periods, the Vietnamese culture has built a sustainable and standardised family value system.

An interesting exposition on the CPV’s interpretation of the family after the Doi Moi reforms.

CNA - ASEAN delegation meets Myanmar army chief in Nay Pyi Taw

An ASEAN delegation has met Myanmar army chief Min Aung Hlaing in Nay Pyi Taw to discuss pressing issues, including a return to participation in the regional bloc. This is the biggest mission to visit Myanmar since shuttle diplomacy --conducted under former chair Cambodia -- two years ago. Myanmar state media reported discussions about aid distribution and the conditions Myanmar must meet before it can rejoin ASEAN meetings. Currently, Myanmar's army chief and foreign minister are still banned from attending regional meetings. Leong Wai Kit reports.

SCMP - Indonesian diaspora welcomes dual citizenship plans but questions ‘political will’ to implement

SCMP - Will a US missile system in the Philippines make northern Luzon a ‘high value target’ for China?

Global Times - Lawrence Wong sworn in as Singapore's new PM, expected to 'continue balanced foreign policy approach'

Lol

USITC VOTES TO CONTINUE INVESTIGATIONS ON FERROSILICON FROM BRAZIL, KAZAKHSTAN, MALAYSIA, AND RUSSIA

The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) today determined that there is a reasonable indication that a U.S. industry is materially injured by reason of imports of ferrosilicon from Brazil, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and Russia that are allegedly sold in the United States at less than fair value and subsidized by the governments of Brazil, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and Russia.

Chairman David S. Johanson and Commissioners Rhonda K. Schmidtlein, Jason E. Kearns, and Amy A. Karpel voted in the affirmative.

As a result of the Commission’s affirmative determinations, the U.S. Department of Commerce will continue its investigations of imports of ferrosilicon from Brazil, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and Russia, with its preliminary countervailing duty determinations due on or about June 21, 2024, and its preliminary antidumping duty determinations due on or about September 4, 2024.

The Commission’s public report Ferrosilicon from Brazil, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and Russia (Inv. Nos. 701-TA-712-715 and 731-TA-1679-1682 (Preliminary), USITC Publication 5506, May 2024) will contain the views of the Commission and information developed during the investigations.

In another article,

“The onslaught of dumped imports from these countries over the last three years has caused serious harm to the U.S. industry, its workers, and the communities in which we operate,” said Marco Levi, Chief Executive Officer of Ferroglobe PLC. “A successful outcome in these cases will allow us to get back to work on a level playing field.”

Brazil, Kazakhstan, Malaysia and Russia making Amerikkkan lives worse:

“American producers can compete with anyone in the world, as long as we’re all playing by the same rules,” said Chris Cobb, CCMA’s plant manager. “Bringing these cases allows us to protect our colleagues, employees, and communities. Fortunately, our country’s trade laws are set up to support fair trade. On behalf of our employees, customers, and colleagues, we look forward to seeing those laws enforced and those who violate our laws held accountable.” -

SEA Headlines

VietnamPlus - ASEAN Secretary-General commends Vietnam’s contributions to community building efforts

VoV - Vietnam becomes fastest growing digital economy in ASEAN: HSBC

Hindustan Times - Next round of talks for India-Asean trade pact review in July

CSIS - The Latest On Southeast Asia: U.S. Tech Investments in ASEAN

Bloomberg - Malaysia's Johor Eyes Shenzhen-Style Hub With Singapore, Report Says

AP - Thailand’s prime minister wants to outlaw cannabis, 2 years after it was decriminalized

The Bangkok Post - First 5G Factory in Southeast Asia Launched

Bloomberg - Indonesia Won’t Take Sides in US-China Row, Prabowo Tells TV

Bernama - CHINA-ASEAN R&D CENTRE ESTABLISHMENT PROPOSED FOR MALAYSIA

Nikkei Asia - China's Confucius Institutes flourish in ASEAN after West's freeze-out

CNA - China and Cambodia to begin annual military exercise to strengthen cooperation, fight terrorism

The Star - PM Anwar meets Hamas leaders in Qatar, reaffirms Malaysia's commitment to stopping war on Gaza

I wonder why Malaysia didn't try harder to hold on to singapore.

It was because of the political economy of Malaya at that time, bear in mind that Malaya only constituted modern-day peninsular Malaysia, with Eastern Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak) and the Strait Settlements (Singapore, Melaka and Penang) being under seperate British administrations.

The indirect rule practiced by the British in Malaya, meant that there was a largely indigenous feudal-monarchical class between the colonizers and the proletariat and peasants. Fast forward nearing independence day, the Malay-Muslim feudal classes in Malaya foresaw that they were going to take over an economy mainly owned by foreigners - namely, British colonialists and the Chinese and Indian middle classes. To guarantee further control of the country, they wanted Chinese-majority Singapore to be excluded from the federation. Sarawak and Sabah were then included to tip the demographic balance in the comprador Malay-Muslim class' favour. Back in those days the indigenous population only held a plural majority with no group having over 50% in Malaya and the Strait Settlements combined.

It was the progressive left forces that were for unification. With British help, reactionary forces defeated the Left Forces, which included not only (Chinese) Communist elements but Islamic Socialist, anti-colonial movements, and militant labour unions, the banner of internationalism vis-a-vis Singapore/Malaysia federation was defeated.

It should be known that the People's Action Party in Singapore, started as a social democratic party, which eventually betrayed the left-wing in their party (ie. the Communists) and then finally broke away from Malaysia. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement for both ruling classes in both societies. Singapore can weaponise it's city-state stature to become the economic centre of Southeast Asia like Hong Kong, while Malaysia's comprador Malay-Muslim feudal class was able to retain control of a backward racialised colonial political economy.

Furthermore, Malaysia under their first prime minister was Western allied. It was in the middle of the cold war under the throes of Western red scare propaganda depicting Chinese people as foreign communist agents. My 2nd part of the article I am writing will cover this more but the People's Republic of China had the foresight and took advantage of this situation to normalize relationships with Malaysia in 1974, which helped mend a lot of the Red Scare terror that the British implanted in Malaysia for decades. The same can't be said about the latent anti-Malay-Muslim rhetoric found in Singapore.

Another thing that was different was unlike Singapore, who can tout to graduate from the Third to First World, Malaysia never was able to escape from the Third World. A vast peasant population and large urban proletariat eventually meant that it would drift further left geopolitically on the world scale, while Singapore remained stuck in a badly put 1960s time capsule. This benefitted Singapore in some regards, it wouldn't have to deal with the difficult urban-rural and racialised contradictions found in present day Malaysia, but it also meant on a world-scale it was and continue to be geopolitically reactionary, in which the economic development of less populated Singapore was made at the expense of the more populated Southeast Asian periphery.

The Economist - In South-East Asia, the war in Gaza is roiling emotions

Far more than Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the war in Gaza is rattling public opinion in three key South-East Asian countries: Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. The first two have Muslim-majority populations, and Singapore, largely ethnic-Chinese, has a Muslim minority of 16%. As on campuses in America and in street protests in Europe, the sympathies among those who are concerned about the conflict—and who in Singapore include many young non-Muslims—are for Palestinians suffering from Israel’s heavy-handed prosecution of the war.

Strong feelings have thus made the war a political challenge in ways that are connected, but also vary from country to country. Malaysia’s prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, is by far the most strident leader in South-East Asia in support of the Palestinians. Mr Anwar has decried what he says was Western pressure to condemn Hamas, the hardline group ruling Gaza that started the war with a brutal raid on Israel.

While Palestine maintains an official embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Hamas can boast an unofficial one. Mr Anwar’s government has banned Israeli ships from docking. Politicians join rallies against the West’s backing of Israel.

Mr Anwar’s stance is no surprise. He has long espoused Palestinian independence. Malaysia itself has refused to recognise Israel. Meanwhile his chief challenge comes from PAS, an ultra-conservative Islamic group and the largest party in parliament. He cannot afford to let pas outflank him on religious issues, or he loses power.

comes from PAS, an ultra-conservative Islamic group

If PAS is ultra-conservative then every single Western political party is ultra-ultra-ultra-ultra-ultra-conservative.

For now Mr Anwar sees little downside in his pro-Palestinian, anti-American stance. His government, keen on Western investment, says it is open for business. Yet more stridency may make investors wonder. As it is, Malaysia’s religiously tolerant ethnic minorities are growing more uncomfortable with the increased religiosity that the Gaza war has helped feed.

The government has drank the neoliberal Kool-Aid of foreign investments, yes, but seemingly these Western companies continue to keep coming despite the geopolitical positions of the country.

These fake concern for investments acting like the West and particularly the US are their biggest investors when that is not even the case for majority of ASEAN anymore.

In Indonesia feelings also run high. Yet the rhetoric among political leaders is relatively restrained. True, the government of Joko Widodo has condemned Israel’s imminent offensive on Rafah, Hamas’s last stronghold. And, in a recent opinion piece for The Economist that was widely cheered back home, the president-elect, Prabowo Subianto, condemned the West for caring more about Ukrainians’ fate than Palestinians’. Yet that is tame stuff compared with Mr Anwar: unlike Malaysia’s denial of Israel, Mr Prabowo calls for talks and a two-state solution. What factors explain the difference? Indonesia’s ties with Israel are closer than the elites like to let on.

Malaysian official foreign policy stance is still the two-state solution, although that has been obviously not mentioned in the context of the Zionist Regime’s relentless assault against the Palestinian people.

They include purchases of Israeli tech and weaponry. Before the war, secret talks looked likely to establish ties between the two countries, starting with reciprocal trade offices. Although Mr Prabowo denies Islamists’ claims that he is chummy with Israel, he is in little danger of being outflanked by hardliners, having absorbed key Muslim political groupings in his coalition. Domestic considerations count.

This is mostly true and Israeli-Indonesian relations will be mostly off the books by most accounts.

Any public relations, including normalization, despite Western sources stating otherwise, is near impossible. It’s not as likely as they otherwise try to picture.

Squeezed between Indonesia and Malaysia, Singapore has close security ties with Israel—two small states encircled by danger. Yet Gaza greatly complicates the relationship, on account of domestic feeling. As Lawrence Wong, the incoming prime minister, told The Economist this week, even though the war in Ukraine carries economic consequences for Singapore, at an emotional level it resonates little.

encircled by danger

Yeah the two states are similar in their racism against Muslims, with their founders being White supremacists and having disdain of Islam and indigenous people. Surprisingly, they have close relations, I know.

By contrast, though Gaza has had negligible economic effect, it has had “a much higher level of resonance”, given the plight of Palestinians. The concern is that communal tensions might surface in ways that strain Singapore’s famed social and religious harmony. That, says the government, is why pro-Palestinian demonstrations have been banned. Christians, who are generally pro-Israel and account for 19% of the population, would demand their own protests, thereby bringing religious discord into the open. The government also fears that Malaysian stridency could cross the bridge that joins the two countries and foster extremism in Singapore.

communal tensions

A common phrase echoed by the Singaporean establishment to justify their continual interference and authoritarian measures of silencing dissent.

The racial undertones are also perfectly clear to those that aren’t blind. Who are the instigators in the picture they are trying to portray? With whom are they trying to gaud into being against?

This “surrounded by nefarious and scheming Muslims” rhetoric has been the hallmark of Singapore’s post independence psyche because it precisely justifies its own existence.

It is patently false since Malaysia has a larger Chinese population than Singapore’s total population. It ignores the fact that by declaring independence it put the Chinese in neighbouring Malaysia in jeopardy. This is why I say Singapore’s independence has been selfish. It was done to maintain the rule and capital accumulation of the colonial-era anglophone Singaporean bourgeoisie who would lose many of its privileges under a partnership with Malaysia.

This post-hoc justification is nothing but that, fluff that ironically, despite what they say, actually inflames racial and communal divisions more.

Bringing up the 19% Christian population is nothing but a diversionary tactic that ignores the realities of the mass support for Palestine. The Singaporean government simply doesn’t take the step forward because it would anger their monopoly-Capital overlords based in London and New York. It would challenge the long-standing justifications of their existence and bring about a truly progressive and international outlook that they truly despise.

The necessary response, Mr Wong says, is “to go out [and] explain to our people the positions that Singapore has taken”. That includes condemning Israel’s heavy hand, urging for a ceasefire and a two-state solution and providing aid to beleaguered Palestinians. Those steps are surely right in themselves. But in South-East Asia, when dealing with a distant war, never ignore factors that are close-to-hand.

Singapore’s position is closer to that of her European parents, which remains unsurprising as they have been colonised economically and spiritually. Singapore continues to contribute to the “accumulation of waste”, as coined by Ali Kadri, contributing to Israeli’s defense industry to defend against a mythical invasion from those dastardly Muslims.

followup to my previous comment thread

Comparing Chinese versus Amerikan diplomacy

Sanctions imposed last year on four Malaysia-based companies accused of helping Iran’s production of drones have been impactful, a top US Treasury official said today.

Brian Nelson, the department’s under-secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, also said that the sanctions were still in place.

He said they were aimed at “encouraging behaviour change”, and that once the department saw such change, the companies involved would be struck off the list.

Nelson said sanctions would see money in US accounts or accounts with a US correspondent blocked or frozen, thereby preventing these companies from accessing funds.

“And it’s very disruptive to your ability to do business that is cross-border because it is very, very difficult to avoid a touch point with the US financial system,” he said in an interview with several media outlets.

Nelson said that sanctions were a powerful tool, and that the department had found them effective in the context of disrupting activities meant to drive profit or provide capital.

MODS!!!!? DISRUPTING THE FREE MARKET?? MARKET DISTORTING PRACTICE??? MOOOODS!!

“From that perspective, we think, of course, that they are impactful.

“But I think the more impactful thing at the end of the day is the partnership with jurisdictions and the capacity to make anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism ‘regimes’ more resilient.”

…Washington recently imposed further sanctions targeting Iran, including over Iranian drones used by Russia in the war in Ukraine, as the US seeks to increase pressure on Tehran after its attack on Israel.

Nelson is in Malaysia to advance the Treasury’s work in countering terrorist financing and revenue generation for Iran and its proxies.

but Malaysia does not recognise Hamas or Iran as terrorist organizations?

It’s literally the meme

Reuters previously reported that there had been an uptick in money moving to Iran and its proxies, including Hamas, through the Malaysian financial system.

Malaysian Islamic Finance helping the mujahideen fight against their oppressors. Mashallah.

He is also in the country to discuss ways to disrupt Russia’s ability to sustain its war in Ukraine.

Malaysia has conveyed to the US that Kuala Lumpur does not recognize sanctions imposed by individual nations, a minister said Thursday.

The US talking about sanctions:

“I emphasized that we will only recognize sanctions if they are imposed by the United Nations Security Council,” the Southeast Asian nation’s Interior Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said.

“The delegation from the US respected our stance,” said the minister.

Saifuddin added that Kuala Lumpur was committed to combating terrorism financing with a “clear strategic plan in place to tackle illicit funding and money laundering.”

However, Saifuddin said Malaysia’s policies and strategies “comply with international standards.”

Washington also said Iran's capacity to move its oil was due to service providers based in Malaysia.

The minister, however, said his meeting with Nelson was “productive” and that Malaysia was “always open to engaging with the US.”

Productive = nothing happened

“always open to engaging” or Amerika will conduct financial warfare to crash the economy again

Compare this to how Chinese and Malaysian officials speak to eachother

Xinhua - Strength of China-Malaysia ties built on common values: Malaysian official

"In partnership with China, Malaysia is leading the way in promoting renewable energy. Both countries are heavily investing in clean technologies including solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. Our joint efforts aim to lead the global transition to sustainable energy," he said.

"Our relations have grown from strength to strength over these past 50 years in not just covering diplomatic and political ties but also business partnerships, tourism, education and cultural ties and exchanges," he said.

…For his part, Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing said the comprehensive and practical cooperation is the essential driving force upgrading China-Malaysia relations in all fields.

"China is now focusing on developing new quality productive forces which will provide Malaysia more cooperation opportunities in the fields of artificial intelligence, big data, digital economy, green development, new energy vehicles and other newly emerging industries. Fruits from the above cooperation will surely bring benefits to both peoples in a profound way," he said.

I wonder which country is a 5000 year old literary civilization and which one is a deformed culture-less genocidal state.

I’ll just leave this comment I made a few months back when both Lemmygrad and Hexbear had a cross-instance struggle session about this topic.

There are things that I could have phrased more elegantly, but I think overall the meaning still carries through.

Ummm… Doesn’t Cuba realize Russia is a Capitalist authoritarian conservative chrisofash country????

BenarNews (US Funded Media) - US officials to discuss with Malaysia ‘potential impact’ of Iran sanctions’ violations

Treasury Department says it’s concerned about Washington-sanctioned Iranian oil being moved from ship to ship in Southeast Asian waters.

A U.S. Treasury delegation will discuss the consequences of allowing transshipments of Washington-sanctioned Iranian oil in meetings with government officials here this week, amid longtime allegations by Western news and research firms that Malaysia permits Iran to use its waters for ship-to-ship petroleum transfers.

Western news

YOU YOURSELF ARE WESTERN NEWS?

…The American officials who arrived in Kuala Lumpur late on Monday will engage in blunt discussions with their Malaysian counterparts, U.S. Ambassador Edgard Kagan said on the sidelines of Asia’s largest defense show.

“You brown orientals need to listen to the White Man and stop trading with the Islamofascist Terrorists”

“We are confident that the Malaysian government understands the U.S. position with regard to transshipment of oil that has been sanctioned, and understands the potential impact that this could have,” Kagan said in response to a question about whether Washington sees Malaysia as a transshipment hub for Iranian oil.

These Crakkkers need to STFU. Keep swinging buddy, it’ll just encourage further decoupling from the West.

He did not elaborate on what he meant by “potential impact,” which could mean anything from sanctions on Malaysia to an emboldened Iran potentially causing more trouble for Washington.

Sanctions deny people or companies access to assets within the United States and prevent American citizens or financial institutions from doing business with them.

Don’t know how that concerns people in Southeast Asia but okay

“We look forward to candid and frank discussions that are going to be done very much from our standpoint in the spirit of working together to address a common problem,” Kagan said.

Go ahead and sanction. I don’t think the numerous American companies based in Malaysia are gonna react too kindly to the political machinations of the warmongers affecting their bottomline.

common problem

It clearly ain’t a problem for the numerous local businesses benefiting from trade with Iran.

In December, the U.S Treasury Department imposed sanctions on four Malaysia-based companies it accused of helping Iran’s production of drones. Washington accuses Iran of supplying deadly drones to what it says are terrorist proxies in the Middle East, and to Russia for use in Ukraine.

Only four? The companies in Malaysia need to step up their game.

On Friday, the Treasury Department said that two of its top officials would visit Malaysia and Singapore on May 6-9 to advance its work in countering what it called terror financing by Iran and its proxies, and the implementation of sanctions against Russia.

Only Singapore has imposed sanctions on Russia. The USA is not in the position to dictate how an independent country wants to handle their own trade and diplomatic relations. Fuck off

“In Malaysia, Under Secretary Nelson and General Counsel MacBride will discuss the United States’ efforts to disrupt terrorist financing, including through fundraising for fraudulent charities and illicit oil sales, while ensuring that U.S. sanctions and other financial measures do not impede the flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza.”

efforts to disrupt terrorist financing, including fundraising for fraudulent charities

We should ban the New Endowment for Democracy to be in line with the stated objectives.

humanitarian aid

Such as “lethal aid” for Israel mayhaps?

BenarNews contacted the Prime Minister’s Office and the foreign ministry for comment on the U.S. officials’ visit and Kagan’s comments, but did not immediately hear back.

I don’t think they care to respond to US propaganda outlets.

Both the issues – sanctions against Russia and Iran – have seen the East and the West divided in their responses.

No shit.

…Malaysia has taken a stance supporting Iran, which launched drones and fired missiles at Israel on April 13. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim described Iran’s actions as a “legitimate act” in response to Israel’s “barbarous” attack on Iran’s consulate in Damascus.

This is the opinion of the Global Majority.

‘I will not accept any threats’ …He said in November that Malaysia would maintain ties with Hamas and not be cowed by the threat of “unilateral” sanctions for doing so in the face of a proposed U.S. law to sanction the group’s supporters.  He was responding to the Nov. 1 passage by the U.S. House of Representatives of the Hamas and Other Palestinian Terrorist Groups International Financing Prevention Act. It has yet to be passed by the Senate. “I will not accept any threats, including this,” Anwar said in Parliament back then.  “This action is unilateral and not valid because we, as members of the United Nations, only recognize decisions made by the United Nations Security Council.”

I have covered this before but I’ll repeat again: Anwar faces internal opposition from more radical Islamic political factions that are staunchly pro-Palestine and Anti-Zionist. Even if he wasn’t himself a believer of a modernist Islam, it would be political suicide if he did not take a stance for Hamas.

The government’s position is entirely in line with the opinion of the vast majority in Malaysia.

In December, Malaysia banned Israeli shipping company ZIM, vessels flying the Israeli flag and those headed there from docking at its ports, saying the move was a response to the Jewish state’s actions in Gaza.

Is the article trying to imply hypocrisy here? Lmao.

Washington ups the pressure Still, allegations about Malaysia’s support for Iran evasion of U.S.  sanctions have been made for years, and long before the latest crisis in the Middle East.  More recently, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (USEIA), in September, noted that China’s oil imports from Malaysia in the first half of 2023 rose to 1 million barrels a day – a figure that exceeded total production in Malaysia.

Actually maybe Malaysia increased production imo I think we are rushing too much on our conclusions.

USEIA pointed to a May 2021 article from the Washington-based Middle East Institute’s website  to explain this discrepancy. The article was titled “Iranian sanctions evasion and the Gulf’s complex oil trade,” and cited news sources like Bloomberg and Reuters as well. “With a heavy discount on Iran’s high-risk, illegal oil exports, buyers in China are purchasing so much that oil tankers are ‘clogging up’ ports in the country,” the article said, referring to a Bloomberg News story for the information about the choked ports.

Thank you China, very cool.

The Treasury officials’ visit to Malaysia comes less than two weeks after President Joe Biden signed a national security package that included the “21st Century Peace through Strength Act,” which extends the statute of limitations for violations of sanctions to 10 years.

“Peace through Strength Act” sounds like satire

In a recent article for The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, research assistant Rebecca Redlich wrote that “Kuala Lumpur is once again displaying its willingness to facilitate Iran’s illicit activity.”

It’s the free market at work baby. The invisible hand supports Iran and Hamas, what can I say?

“The United States has repeatedly sought to curb Kuala Lumpur’s growing ties with Iran by sanctioning various Malaysia-based entities,” she said in her article dated April 24.

Ya’ll repeating what the colonizers did 300 years ago and think no one here will see the ploy for what it is.

“U.S. officials have focused most of their outreach and punitive actions on areas where Malaysian decisions directly threaten U.S. objectives, such as facilitating illicit Iranian oil sales and creating a permissive environment for sanctions evasion.”

So much for the free and open trade and markets.

Again - why should Malaysia care if what they do threaten US objectives? Should a Global South country not advocate for and do stuff that is in their best interests?

Death to Amerikkka

SEA Headlines

It’s that time of the week.

The Nation Thailand - Thai school breaks barriers, grants hairstyle freedom to LGBTQ+

VNA - Rail route connects China, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia

The Bangkok Post - Thai official helps steer Asean in negotiations with China

Reuters - Indonesia's Q1 GDP growth beats forecasts, but outlook's uncertain

CNA - China’s hybrid rice might be Indonesia’s latest solution to improving its food security, but at what costs?

Vietnam Investment Review - ASEAN encouraged to embrace global flows

Pattaya Mail - ‘ASEAN Plus Three’ bolsters financial safety nets amid challenges

The Star - Leveraging China’s GDI to revitalise Malaysia’s industrial sector

Paywalled Article

SINCE the early 1990s, Malaysia has been exhibiting signs of premature deindustrialisation, characterised by a decline in the relative contribution of the manufacturing sector to the economy – a trait typically observed only when a country has attained the status of a developed country.

In 2022, the manufacturing industry contributed only 23.4% to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), down from a peak of 30.9% in 1999. The main culprits behind this phenomenon are lack of quality investment, limited spending on research and development (R&D) and high dependence on imported low-skilled labour.

These have collectively led to the country’s inability to join the high value-added segment of the manufacturing value chain.

The Global Development Initiative (GDI) proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in September 2021 presents a promising opportunity for resurrecting Malaysia's industrial sector via the industrialisation priority area.

Under this priority area, the GDI aims to: enhance collaboration in worldwide production capabilities; assist developing nations in enhancing their industrial production capabilities and manufacturing standards; facilitate their seamless integration into global industrial, value, and supply networks; and expedite the process of industrialisation and modernisation.

In the 2023 GDI progress report, published by the Center for International Knowledge on Development, the GDI has helped developing countries advance sustainable industrialisation and resolve development bottlenecks.

This is done through three channels.

Firstly, the GDI has established a global network of partners encompassing think tanks, international organisations and multilateral institutions, universities and industry alliances and associations. Secondly, there is strengthening of financial support and policy coordination via Chinese investments in developing countries and cooperation on Industry 4.0 as well as digital transformation. Thirdly, the GDI is supporting the training and capacity building of talent for industrialisation by drawing focus on vocational education. In a bid to revitalise the country’s industrial sector, Malaysia could leverage the GDI to attract foreign direct investment and technology transfer. Chinese investment in Malaysia's industrial parks and special economic zones could facilitate the inflow of capital and expertise, contributing to the modernisation and expansion of the industrial sector. This collaboration could lead to the transfer of advanced manufacturing technologies, ultimately elevating Malaysia's industrial capabilities and competitiveness on the global stage. Two of the 12 key challenges outlined in the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030 are stagnating labour productivity, as well as shortage and skills mismatch among local talent. To circumvent these issues, Malaysia can proactively engage in collaborative initiatives with China to enhance skills development and knowledge transfer. By fostering partnerships in R&D, innovation and skills training, Malaysia can ensure that its workforce is equipped with the expertise needed to drive industrial growth in the era of digitalisation and automation. The NIMP 2030’s aim to expand Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) is also in line with the GDI’s focus on vocational education. A remarkable example of a successful partnership between China and Malaysia is the acquisition of Malaysia’s national car brand Proton by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group in 2017, where the two partners have made great strides in working together. Apart from elevating the brand image and sales of the local carmaker, the signing of various joint ventures, technical assistance, foreign direct investment and technical collaboration agreements between the two countries have greatly benefitted local Malaysian dealers with access to new and advanced technologies, while Chinese suppliers have found new sources of raw parts. Meanwhile, another success story is the setting up of the Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park (MCKIP) in Gebeng which has attracted more than 50 international companies and created more than 10,000 jobs for locals. It is worth mentioning that of the RM11.01bil in foreign direct investment that Pahang attracted as of 2022, more than half was contributed by China. These success stories indicate that it is essential for Malaysia to strategically position itself to maximise the benefits of participating in the GDI. This involves formulating inclusive policies, streamlining regulatory processes, and addressing any potential challenges associated with the influx of Chinese investments. By doing so, Malaysia can create an environment that is conducive to sustainable industrial development while safeguarding its national interests. The potential revitalisation of Malaysia's industrial sector through the GDI is not without its considerations. It is imperative for Malaysia to carefully assess the economic, environmental and social impacts of various projects to ensure that they align with the country's long-term development goals and sustainability agenda. Additionally, robust governance frameworks and transparency measures should be put in place to mitigate the risks associated with large-scale infrastructure and industrial development efforts. In conclusion, Malaysia stands to gain substantial advantages by capitalising on the opportunities presented by the GDI. The initiative has the potential to inject momentum into Malaysia's industrial sector, address the challenges of deindustrialisation, and propel the country towards productivity-led growth. By embracing strategic collaborations with China and leveraging the GDI’s multifaceted offerings, Malaysia can position itself as a key beneficiary of the initiative and revitalise its industrial landscape for sustained prosperity.

Al Mayadeen English - Time, Space, and the Will

Those who have a connection to the land, and who know its every intimate corner will always have the advantage, even in the face of imperialist terror

Journalist Antony Lowenstein wrote a book called “The Palestine Laboratory'', which details how the Zionist entity uses Palestine as a testing ground for their weapons which they sell to other merchants of death worldwide. In this article, I want to flip this laboratory analogy on its head, by showing how Palestine is where 21st-century guerilla warfare is being developed strategically and tactically. First, there will be a survey of a few 20th-century guerilla warfare tacticians such as Mao and Vo Nguyen Giap, who laid the ground for the Palestinian fedayeen of the 1960s and 1970s. Then, a piece of writing from the martyr Basel al Araj titled Live Like a Porcupine, Fight Like a Flea will be analyzed alongside the actions of resistance factions against the Zionist garrison state.

In reference to the advances of the Vietnamese People’s Army against the French and American imperialists, General Vo Nguyen Giap argued that “in the face of an enemy as powerful as he is cruel, victory is possible only by uniting the whole people within the bosom of a firm and wide national front based on the worker-peasant alliance”. While General Giap is undoubtedly a master tactician of the previous generation, the rank and file of the people’s army showed how correct his analyses are in practice. The question of land remains the decisive factor in planning and executing guerilla warfare.

Those who have a connection to the land, and who know its every intimate corner will always have the advantage, even in the face of imperialist terror. The Vietnamese People’s Army–under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh and General Giap–used the terrain to set traps for imperialist troops, but also to be able to mesh with the masses of workers and peasants. The types of traps used included false floors with snake pits underneath, nets to corral foreign troops into ambushes, spike traps that injured imperialist troops and sent them to the injured reserve. The point was never to confront the enemy face-to-face and inflict massive casualties, but to wear them out, spread them thin, and expose their barbarity. This also included nationwide programs of patriotic education and organization towards national unity and independence. General Giap continues: “Guerilla war is the war of the broad masses…is the enemy strong? One avoids him. Is he weak? One attacks him…there is no fixed line of demarcation, the front being wherever the enemy is found”.

Besides the uses of time and space, the will of the Vietnamese people in their revolutionary war was quite a decisive factor against imperialist troops far from their homes. In the words of Ho Chi Minh: “It was patriotism…that inspired me. You will kill ten of us, we will kill one of you, but in the end, you will tire of it first. Remember, the storm is a good opportunity for the pine and the cypress to show their strength and their stability”. The question of supplying weapons in a hostile environment was also a key struggle. General Giap points out that this was mainly done through acquiring arms as ‘war booty’ and then training in their use for the next battle. This strategy is one which was exemplified in Operation Al Aqsa Flood, as discussed later. Mao Zedong and the People’s Liberation Army are another example of 20th century guerilla warriors who struck great blows against world imperialism.

Like Vietnam, China’s PLA were very inspirational to the Palestinian fedayeen. Many photos can be found of PFLP commandos engaged in study sessions of Mao’s Red Book. In modern China, author Cixin Liu’s gripping sci-fi series “The Three Body Problem” pits humanity against an invading alien force who compares humans to bugs due to our relative technological inferiority. It is only when the humans realize that bugs have never been eradicated despite anyone’s efforts that their intergalactic guerilla warfare gains potency and vitality. On guerilla warfare, Mao says: “the enemy advances, we retreat; the enemy camps, we harass; the enemy tires, we attack; the enemy retreats, we pursue”. The Palestinian martyr-intellectual Basel al Araj terms this ‘the flea war’.

Al Araj seamlessly weaves together an ecological analysis of the porcupine and the flea with a political-economic analysis of guerilla warfare in his piece Live Like a Porcupine, Fight Like a Flea. In regards to the flea, Al Araj points out that fleas do not kill their host through biting them and making them anemic, but rather the flea exhausts the host and spreads them thin physically and psychologically. As for the porcupine, the author describes this animal as one which is popular in Palestinian folklore, “[Palestinians] describe it as a strange creature; it cries and wails like humans, it has hopes and wishes. It's been likened to humans in that when upset, it directs its spikes towards predators in an attempt to strike them”. As for the defenses of the porcupine, beyond its spikes, Al Araj highlights that “porcupines are night animals that live underground in relatively large holes that connect to a network of tunnels, where it also creates rest spots.

The porcupine uses various techniques to get in and out of its hole”. In a world-historical sense, then, we can see that the Palestinian resistance is advancing the theory and practice of guerilla warfare for the 21st century. In the absence of jungle or forested mountains in Gaza, the resistance has tunneled underground, like the porcupine, and have created an entire network of tunnels which bypass enemy positions and allow for the use of time and space to our people’s advantage.

The tunnels of the resistance allow for the advancement of the ‘flea war’, whereby Hamas, PIJ, or PFLP commandos can attack over a large surface area while remaining in small units. This has done immense damage materially and psychologically to the Zionist enemy, especially since October 7th. This is evidenced by Gaza being littered with Merkavas and Zionist APCs which are no longer in use. In regards to General Giap’s insistence on the importance of ‘war booty’, time and evidence have shown that Operation Al Aqsa Flood was so successful in part because there were many Hamas units disguised as Zionist troops and using Zionist armaments which caused confusion among Zionist ranks. Palestinians have also reverse engineered the missiles dropped on Gaza, so unwittingly, the Zionists arm the revolutionary forces.

In the West Bank as well, the actions of groups like Lion’s Den and the Jenin Brigades express another expression of the ‘flea war’ whereby Zionist troops are lured into mazes of alleys, harassed and corralled by youth with stones and Molotov cocktails until they arrive at a set location where they are ambushed by light, mobile infantry forces.

This intimate relationship and collaboration between the resistance and the people is crystalized in the concept of the popular cradle. Not only is there a deep connection between the masses and the revolutionaries in practice, but we can see in the slogan of PIJ the importance of immaterial factors: “Islam as the starting point, jihad as the means, and the liberation of Palestine as the goal”. In a deeply religious society, Islam animates revolutionaries to fight against the “taghut” (the oppressor).

The will of the Palestinian people for national liberation and self-determination is expressed through the society-wide resistance to colonial occupation and genocide. These immaterial factors aredecisive, according to General Giap, Mao Zedong, and Basel Al Araj. The victories in guerilla warfare come at a huge cost, and while I will refrain from romanticizing warfare, it is sufficient to say that Palestine is where guerilla war is being theoretically and practically developed in the 21st century after the failures of pitched battles against the Zionists and their imperialist sponsors in 1948, 1967, and 1973.

Much like Vietnam, Palestine has powerful friends who provide aid. Iran not only supplies the resistance with weapons and open source blueprints to produce weapons domestically, but as of April 14th, provides a steadfast ally, willing to attack the Zionists and keep the flame of liberation alight. While Vietnam injured the imperialist war machine, Palestine will bury it.

Manila Standard

Anti-war equals pro-China?

“The US-BBM power-wielders today are not leaving any room for being pro-Filipino anymore”

The “’NO to US-BBM Proxy War‘ Koalisyon ng Mamamayan Kontra Giyera” was launched last April 24, with public intellectuals, political leaders, people’s organizatonions and community groups that number almost 200 at a gathering in the modest venue of the middle-class watering hole in Quezon City Sports Club (unlike events of the US-sponsored CSIS and ADRI events at the plush five-star hotels).

Leading public intellectuals who supported it were former Senator Francisco “Kit” Tatad, former government spokesman Atty. Harry Roque, former undersecretary Loraine Badoy, scientific pollster and columnist Malou Tequia (who stayed at the back of the hall and did not introduce herself), activist and former congressional detainee Ka Eric Celiz, social media scholar-warriors Sassot Rogando and Anna Malindog-Uy via Zoom, a former National Security Council deputy, a retired general and a retired major.

Worthy of special mention is Senator Tatad, today star columnist of the Manila Times and of course a list of “formers” — such as a presidential “spox,” senator and consistent anti-war advocate.

He was a major contributor to the manifesto of the “No to US-BBM Proxy War” initiative but texted at the last minute during the conference that due to momentary physical discomfort with the weather, he sends his support but could not make it on the grand gathering.

The Manila Times reported the event, giving vent to the anti-war perspective of the gathering and the movement it was launching, quoting its manifesto accurately: “The ideals of independence and sovereignty have always been at the core of our national identity, and we refuse to compromise these values in the face of current threats posed by the US-BBM proxy war against China,…” citing Herman Tiu Laurel, of the Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute.

The manifesto went on to explain the United States has a long history of intervention in the affairs of sovereign nations using economic, political and military means, and focused on the 2011 “pivot to Asia” strategy of the US was aimed at containing China’s rise as a global power with a major part of the strategy utilizing escalation of tensions in the Asia-Pacific employing countries like the Philippines as “strategic pawns in this nihilistic game.”

The manifesto slammed BBM’s acquiescence to the militarization of the South China Sea, signing lopsided agreements on US EDCA bases in the Philippines, consenting to erosion of democratic institutions to impose US control of the domestic scene in the Philippines, and stifling information freedom against the proxy war, pointing to complicity in the US plot to “entangle the country in the US-Japan-Philippine Triad proxy war against China.”

The irony is the title of the article which the editor (as the report itself is very objective and unbiased) tacked on — a jaundiced reference in the story’s headline “Pro-China coalition formed.”

There was nothing pro-China in the content of the report, all that can be read in it is the exposé of strategic US intentions to contain China and its plot to create tension, instability and an eventual proxy war that will harm, if not devastate, the Philippines being used as a war proxy.

Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong laid down the risk of the Philippines acting as proxy, in a Bloomberg news interview he asks Filipinos “… are you sure you want to be a Battleground?”

Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on April 26, 2024, in front of Philippine Foreign Secretary Manalo, warned of a “bleak” future for ASEAN and Indo-Pacific if SCS tensions rise and, not so obliquely, ”.. . no single ASEAN country wants to become a proxy or vassel state of any power…”

The “Pro-China” tag is a propaganda handle of the US-BBM psywar and mass mind manipulation campaign that started in February 2023 when BBM pivoted back to the US after his “secret” deal with the US, trading off Philippine independence for whatever concessions he got (everybody speculates what it is, from hidden wealth to blackmail) from the US warmongers.

The US-BBM power-wielders today are not leaving any room for being pro-Filipino anymore, its either you’re pro-American, which they don’t deny themselves and just don’t mention, or pro-China which is false but no one is given any choice anymore. (rpkapunan@gmail.com)

I knew Singapore’s spending was high per capita but for it be higher in absolute terms than Indonesia and Thailand is insane.

Singapore haters vindicated once again

SEA Headlines

VietnamPlus - Vietnam secures remarkable economic successes since national reunification

Bernama - ASEAN FOUNDATION COLLABORATES WITH HUAWEI TO HARNESS DIGITAL POTENTIAL

The Manila Times - China-Asean interpersonal exchanges pushed

The Bangkok Post - Asean centrality in a changing world

full article

things to different people, but broadly, it can be seen as a regional framework that supports Asean's role as the dominant regional platform to overcome common challenges and engage with external powers.

For citizens of the Asean community, they know its intrinsic value as it has kept the region stable and resilient throughout its more than five decades of existence.

In a fast-changing world, questions are frequently asked about whether the Asean centrality concept should be redefined. Indeed, the concept of Asean centrality was one of the major issues that Asean leaders discussed in the bloc's latest meeting in Hanoi last week.

The discussion on Asean centrality is lively and stimulates questions and even cynicism. At a lunch retreat, Vietnamese scholar Nguyen Hung Son, vice president of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, gave a good account of the evolution of Asean centrality. He said back in the 1980s, when the concept of Asean centrality did not exist, the region was depicted as "flying geese", meaning that member states, such as Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, had the potential to develop quickly.

In the following decade, Asean was perceived as a "driver" for regional cooperation. Questions were raised about whether it was just a driver and whether the passengers (member states) were setting the direction. No matter what the answer was, Asean would go on to assume that it was in the driver's seat, which helped to drive regional processes. Complaints were also made about there being too many hands on the wheel. As Mr Son observed, when Asean entered the 21st century, the bloc turned itself into a "central hub"--akin to an airport able to provide navigation and protection services. But when it came to regional issues that required the bloc's reactions or action, Asean was seen as a "talk shop" or the "Nato" (no action, talk only) of Asia.

Today, Asean centrality is recognised for its part in driving high economic growth in the region. But what form will Asean centrality take over the next 20 years?

Asean is currently wrapping up its new Asean Vision 2045, which envisages a bloc that is future-ready, future-proof, nimble, and agile. In the not-too-distant future, it is projected that the Asean region will become the world's third-most populous region and fourth-largest economy, with a fast-growing middle class that will outweigh the ageing population. Moreover, given its diversity and good connectivity, the region will become an innovative society.

Mr Son said he believes that Asean should be bolder in the future. It should become the leading "goose" of growth, a pioneer in green transformation, digital connection and innovative economics. Asean also can be an example of turning contestation and confrontation in the South China Sea into cooperation and connectivity.

In addition, Asean can serve as an example of how to successfully address multiple crises, such as climate change and water and food security in the Mekong region, thus providing solutions to other regions.

On centrality, Mr Son concluded with a proviso that the concept must not make the bloc complacent; Asean, after all, must not shy away from attempting to lead and shape in future.

In retrospect, similar observations were made in 1977 when Asean opened up for dialogue, market access, and assistance with foreign partners. At that time, Asean officials were only concerned about locations and setting agendas. They insisted all meetings be held in an Asean capital and all agendas fixed by the rotational chair and its members. Back then, the Asean centrality concept was merely a procedural affair.

Subsequent economic cooperation and engagement with the dialogue partners increased the bloc's confidence that its agenda should be further discussed and shared with others. From the 1990s onwards, the bloc has increased Asean-led mechanisms that take in dialogue partners on cooperation on matters related to political/security, economic, social/cultural, and development. At the 9th East Asia Summit in Nay Pyi Taw in 2014, its key agendas were initiated by the US, especially on global health issues and epidemic disease (Ebola).

Because Asean aims to be the main driving force in the region and prevent any hegemony from outside, active engagement from dialogue partners such as the Asean Regional Forum, the East Asia Summit, and the Asean Defence Ministerial Meeting is a must. Luckily, Asean is not a military grouping; it only promotes peace-making and peace-keeping. It has never weaponised conflicts, near or far. Today, Asean centrality has already gained traction as the great powers, particularly the US, China and EU, continue to woo Asean.

During the first special Asean-US summit in California in February 2016, the Obama administration, for the first time, openly supported the Asean centrality and Asean-led mechanism in the evolving regional architecture. Other dialogue partners such as China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand have long accepted Asean centrality as a pivotal tool for forging closer cooperation and partnership between the bloc and dialogue partners.

To make Asean centrality sustainable and relevant, its members' governments and their lawmakers must show goodwill and implement all Asean agreements and policies in a way that only promotes the bloc's centrality.

Meanwhile, younger generations also need to be exposed to Asean affairs in a more holistic way, not fragmented as it is currently. For instance, the region's school children should be able to sing the Asean Way, the bloc's anthem. Activities and programmes promoting the Asean identity and strengthening the sense of belonging should be encouraged.

With its convening and convincing power, Asean centrality 2.0 can go global and create a milestone, especially the efforts to build a better and peaceful world.

Taking advantage of the current situation, with the ongoing desire of the US-China to improve their strained relationship, Asean could provide a neutral venue for them or, for that matter, any conflicting parties to exchange views and mend their relationship because the bloc does not take sides.

The Conversation - Long before politicians called to ‘stop the boats’, First Nations people welcomed arrivals from Indonesia

Antara News - RI, Malaysia propose ASEAN-GCC collaboration for new economic power