Malaysia plans to visit each ASEAN member state before AIPA - Johari

KUALA LUMPUR: As President of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) next year, Malaysia plans to visit each ASEAN member country before the conference scheduled for September 2025.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul, who is also the 46th AIPA president, stated that arrangements are being made and will be implemented soon.

"If possible, we would like to visit all ASEAN member states before the conference takes place in September next year.

"I expect it to be done soon, maybe from as soon as the Dewan Rakyat is adjourned on Dec 12. Plans are also being made for me to visit all the Speakers of the ASEAN assemblies," he told a press conference here today.

Johari said that in line with Malaysia's Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025, he has also taken proactive steps to continue strengthening diplomatic relations between Malaysia and ASEAN member states through an official visit to Vietnam from Oct 23 to 25.

He said that this visit also focused on Malaysia's preparations for hosting the 46th AIPA next year, aiming to enhance cooperation in trade, investment, clean energy, and cultural exchange to strengthen an inclusive and sustainable ASEAN.

During the visit, Johari also paid courtesy calls on the President of Vietnam To Lam; Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh; and his counterpart, the President of the National Assembly of Vietnam, Tran Thanh Man.

-- BERNAMA