M’sia readies to tackle issues impacting Asean at regional meet

KUALA LUMPUR: Climate change, energy transition and food security issues will be on the main agenda of the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (Aipa), which Malaysia will be hosting in 2025, says Tan Sri Johari Abdul.

Although it’s two years away, work on the regional meet will start now, said the Dewan Rakyat Speaker.

He said these are crucial issues to focus on with China emerging as an economic powerhouse.

“We should psychologically prepare ourselves so that in 2025, we can convince member states of Aipa to sit down and talk about what’s coming.

“If South-East Asia isn’t prepared, then we will be left behind,” he said in an interview.

Johari said Malaysia has a roadmap of achieving 70% of renewable energy capacity by 2050. This could lead Asean towards the energy transition phase.


“We can talk to other Asean countries about doing the same. It is important to discuss transitioning from fossil fuel to renewable energy,” he said.

He also said food security is an important topic after the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The two crises have disrupted global food supplies.

“So whatever happens (in future), we will have a stockpile that will take us out of danger,” he added.

With about 670 million residents living in the Asean region, Johari highlighted the importance of Malaysia emerging as a dominant leader in the region.

“We should be thinking as Asean. So you must crack your head and be seen to be as dominant, smart and cultured as possible in order to be a leader.”

The former Sungai Petani MP and former Gurun assemblyman also spoke about the need to understand what regional politicians are planning for the future.

Aipa, established in 1977 as the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Organisation (Aipo), is aimed at promoting understanding, cooperation and closer ties among MPs.