KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to regional peace and stability following discussions with his Vietnamese counterpart, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính.
As current ASEAN Chair, Anwar announced that Malaysia will convene a Special Meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers in the near future.
The meeting will focus on assessing regional developments, supporting measures to de-escalate tensions, and strengthening ASEAN’s collective role in maintaining peace.
The Prime Minister emphasised that Malaysia is determined to ensure ASEAN remains proactive in addressing challenges that could affect regional harmony.
“Malaysia will convene a Special Meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers to assess the situation, support measures to de-escalate tensions, and strengthen ASEAN’s collective role in maintaining regional peace,” he said.
In his bilateral discussions with Vietnam, Anwar also highlighted Malaysia’s commitment to tackling the issue of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
He explained that cooperation between the two countries will include enforcement coordination, information sharing and preventive measures.
“I am confident that through continued dialogue and existing mechanisms, this issue can be resolved in a prudent, calm and respectful manner,” he added.
The strengthening of Malaysia-Vietnam ties reflects ASEAN’s broader strategy of fostering collaboration among member states to address both security and economic challenges.
Analysts note that IUU fishing has long been a pressing issue in Southeast Asia, affecting livelihoods, food security and marine sustainability.
By combining bilateral cooperation with regional mechanisms, Malaysia aims to ensure that solutions are both effective and inclusive, safeguarding the interests of coastal communities while reinforcing ASEAN’s credibility as a stabilising force.
The upcoming ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ meeting is expected to serve as a platform for member states to reaffirm their collective responsibility in maintaining peace, stability and prosperity across the region.
