MALAYSIA PREPARES FOR CHALLENGES AS ASEAN CHARTER COMES INTO FORCE

JAKARTA, Dec 16 (Bernama) -- Malaysia, buoyed by the launch of the Asean Charter, here, Monday, is committed to making certain changes in the country, in line with the provisions of the charter towards creating an Asean Socio-Cultural Community, Economic Community and Politico-Security Community.

Foreign Minister Dr Rais Yatim said as a contributor to the
realisation of the Asean Charter, Malaysia was relieved that the charter
containing 55 articles could be officially launched today although the Asean
Summit scheduled for Dec 15-18 in Thailand had to be postponed due to the
country's political turmoil.

"In Malaysia, we will change certain scenarios due to the emphasis on
creating the three Communities in the Asean region," he told Malaysian
journalists after the launching of the charter at the Asean Secretariat,
here.

In the presence of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Rais and
nine other foreign ministers from the Asean countries, witnessed Asean
Secretary-General Dr Surin Pitsuwan handing over the Asean Charter to Thailand's
special representative as Thailand currently holds the chairmanship of
Asean.

Its Information and Communications Minister Dr Mun Patanotai acted as the
country's special representative at the ceremony.
Rais said with the coming into force of the Asean Charter, another
significant effect on Malaysia would be the need to alter views and principles
on human rights.
"We have to, through the Asean and domestic machinery, adapt to the
requirements of the charter," he added.
For Wisma Putra, Rais said, this was an invaluable development and it would
undertake certain steps so that the foreign ministry could play a clear and
effective role.
"The formalisation of the charter also requires us to implement some local
projects and programmes related to trade, the economy and socio-cultural arena,"
adding that Wisma Putra would be drawing up the programmes to be implemented by
the various ministries and agencies.
To strengthen commitment towards achieving the aims of the Asean Charter, he
said Malaysia would set up an office here for its permanent representative to
Asean, while a number of officers would be placed at the Malaysian embassy in
Jalan Rasuna Said.

"We will select officers who will be quick to respond and act in Malaysia's
interests in the context of Asean," he said, adding that the Cabinet had been
informed of the move.

Rais said Malaysia would also be sending some senior officers to fill up
posts such as Asean Deputy Secretary-General, to be filled in turns by the Asean
member countries, to assist the Secretary-General in executing his tasks for the
10-member grouping.

With the Asean Charter coming into force, all the 10 member states are
bound by the provisions of and commitment to the charter, as the charter will be
registered with the United Nations.

Among the political commitments is that the top political leadership of the
Asean member states must work together under the concept of "One Vision, One
Identity and One Caring and Sharing Community", implement democratic principles,
practise rule of law and good governance, and respect the protection and
promotion of human rights.

Under economy, the Asean member states are to undertake economic and market
integration, abide by all multilateral trade and Asean regulations, and work at
reducing obstacles to regional economic integration.

-- BERNAMA