M`SIA GIVES FULL SUPPORT ON ASEAN CONNECTIVITY, SAY NAJIB

From Elmi Rizal Alias

HANOI, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will give full commitment and
support to the implementation of the Master Plan on Asean Connectivity, said
Najib Razak.

In a statement issued here Thursday, the prime minister said there was a
need to mobilise the required financial resources for effective implementation
of the Master Plan.

Najib also stressed that Asean must exert all efforts in implementing over
635 action lines in all the three Community Blueprints if it was to achieve the
common vision and aspiration of realising the Asean Community in 2015.

At the same time, he underscored the importance of implementing the
necessary programmes and activities at national level.

On evolving regional architecture, Najib welcomed the intention of Russia
and the United States to join the East Asia Summit (EAS).

He said the inclusion of both countries in the EAS was of strategic
importance to Asean, and would further enhance the substance and profile of the
forum.

Najib also said it was timely for the Asean Business Advisory Council
(ABAC) to involve young Asean entrepreneurs.

He said this could be achieved through programmes such as Young Business
Leaders Exchange Programme, to provide a platform for them to exchange views and
information on economic cooperation.

Najib also encouraged ABAC to fully utilise the funds provided by Asean
Dialogue Partners to initiate new projects.

He noted that Malaysian companies were winners and finalists of Asean
Business Awards.

The prime minister said the companies won awards and were finalists for the
categories of growth, innovation, corporate social responsibility and
employment.

He said the companies were Top Glove Corporation Berhad, Tenaga Nasional
Berhad, KPJ Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital, Microlink Solutions Berhad and
Smart Reader Worldwide Sdn Bhd.

On climate change, the prime minister emphasised that it must continue to be
a priority agenda of any government.

He stressed the need for collective effort in further exploring the use of
energy sources that could progressively meet the regional and global energy
demand.

Najib said he also encouraged closer regional collaboration across the
spectrum of green technology which was a potential driver in generating new
areas of growth in this region.

The statement also said that during the Asean Leaders' Retreat, the Asean
leaders adopted four documents.

They were Master Plan on Asean Connectivity; Declaration on the Adoption of
the Master Plan on Asean Connectivity; Asean Leaders' Statement on Human
Resources and Skills Development for Economic Recovery and Sustainable Growth;
and Hanoi Declaration on the Enhancement of Welfare and Development of Asean
Women and Children.

Najib, who arrived here early Thursday morning, had a busy programme when he
attended the Asean Leaders' Working Lunch with ABAC, opening ceremony of the
17th Asean Summit, Asean Leaders's Retreat, Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth
Triangle (IMT-GT) Summit, as well as the Informal Working Dinner of Asean
leaders later in the evening.
-- BERNAMA