President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim discussed on Wednesday a range of regional issues – including Myanmar’s political crisis and the South China Sea dispute – and agreed to support measures for their resolution.
The topics were highlighted during the two leaders’ bilateral meeting in Manila earlier in the day.
“We have resolved to support development and peace-building initiatives within this group, including the importance of achieving a resolution to the situation in Myanmar,” Marcos said during a joint press conference with Anwar in Malacañang.
“As immediate neighbors, the Philippines and Malaysia recognize the importance of maintaining peace and security in our region,” he added.
Anwar also raised alarm over the situation in Myanmar and how it has affected Malaysia, citing the “huge number of refugees” who fled to his home country.
“I would certainly suggest [t]o explore new areas how Myanmar junta can be persuaded to work and collaborate as a team within ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and resolve the outstanding issues which cannot be considered as purely internal,” Anwar stressed.
On the South China Sea row, the top Malaysian official also floated that stakeholders could try to bring the case to a “multilateral level” before the ASEAN.
He underscored the importance of having a comprehensive approach to achieve an “amicable resolution.”
Anwar is in the Philippines for a two-day official visit. He is the first head of government to make a trip to the country since Marcos assumed the presidency.
During their meeting, the two executives agreed to boost cooperation in various areas – including defense, security, trade, and investment.
Source : CNN
