JAKARTA, Dec 1 — Asean Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn will embark on a three-day working visit to Malaysia starting tomorrow, where he will meet with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to discuss preparations for Malaysia’s upcoming Asean chairmanship in 2025.
The visit, which comes at the invitation of Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry, was confirmed by the Asean Secretariat today.
It said that Kao’s meetings with Anwar will focus on Malaysia’s key priorities and deliverables as it takes on the Asean chairmanship under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability”.
He will also engage with several top Malaysian officials, including Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan; Investment, Trade, and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz; Tourism, Arts, and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, and Auditor-General Datuk Seri Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi.
The discussions aim to ensure Malaysia’s comprehensive preparations for its leadership role and to provide full support, the Secretariat added.
This visit follows the October 11 handover of the Asean chairmanship from Laos to Malaysia at the closing ceremony of the 44th and 45th Asean Summits in Vientiane.
Anwar received the Asean chairmanship gavel from Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, officially marking Malaysia’s return to the role, set to begin on January 1, 2025.
Malaysia has previously held the Asean chairmanship in 1977, 1997, 2005, and 2015.
— Bernama
