MALAYSIAN PROPOSAL ON FORMATION OF BILATERAL CAUCUS ACCEPTED BY AIPA

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has proposed that political committee of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) form more bilateral caucuses as platform to meet and dialogue on sensitive issues.

Deputy Education Minister Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi who is leading the Malaysian
delegation at AIPA (Sept 20-25) in Hanoi, Vietnam said the proposal had been
accepted as one of the resolutions at its 31st meeting.

"With bilateral dialogues, parliamentarians can become mediators or
balancing factors during tense situation and misunderstanding between peoples or
governments," he said in a faxed statement here Friday.

The political committee meeting also agreed with the Malaysian proposal that
AIPA's role in Asean be strengthened.

Asean should also give AIPA more space and voice by giving due consideration to
resolutions made at the meeting.

Puad had discussed with former Indonesian parliament speaker Dr Nurhidayat Wahid
for formation of a bilateral caucus between Malaysia and the republic.

Malaysian and Indonesian parliamentarians had in principle agreed to its
formation and hope to meet in Oct in Jakarta to make it a reality.

"This is important as the political situation in both countries have been
affected by incidents like the treatment of Indonesian maids and detention of
Malaysian fishermen at the Malaysia-Indonesia maritime border.

"This had led to several demonstrations in Jakarta that can sour
Malaysia-Indonesia bilateral ties."

Puad said Malaysia is also keen on forming a bilateral caucus with Vietnam.
-- BERNAMA