POSTPONEMENT OF SUMMITS CAN IMPEDE ASEAN'S WORK

KUALA LUMPUR, April 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak
said the postponement of the 14th Asean Summit and related summits in Thailand
yesterday due to anti-government protests could impede the good work of a
regional grouping like Asean.

"... and delay the benefits of closer integration for hundreds of millions
living and working in Southeast Asia," he said in his blog,
www.1malaysia.com.my.

Najib, who had flown to Pattaya on Friday to attend the Asean meetings, had
to cut short the visit yesterday when Thailand declared emergency in Pattaya
after thousands of anti-government protesters stormed the venue of the meetings
and forced their cancellation.

"It was unfortunate that my meetings were cancelled one after the other as
leaders could not leave or enter the conference venue.

"Luckily, with the assistance of the Thai armed forces and police, we made
it safely to the airport en route home," said Najib, who returned to Malaysia at
7.30pm Saturday.

Najib said: "As we took off, I reflected with great concern how domestic
political challenges like these can impede the good work of a regional grouping
like Asean."

The summits, carrying the theme "Acting Together to Cope with Global
Challenges", were to have held significance in Asean's relations with its
dialogue partners besides giving the opportunity for all the countries to
discuss current issues of regional and international concern.

In his blog, Najib also invited Malaysians to send comments to his blog on
their thoughts on the recently announced Cabinet line-up and the new
performance-based approach which he intended to enforce.

"I am also interested to know what your hopes are for the new administration
to ensure that the welfare and development of all communities are looked after,"
he said.

Najib said he had considered a number of factors to ensure that the cabinet
was truly a People's Cabinet which would be able to serve the people fairly and
effectively, and would strive to propel the country forward, leaving no one
behind.

He also said that he encouraged everyone to be respectful in their opinions
of others in their remarks and hoped that the dialogue could be continued in a
constructive manner, in the true spirit of 1Malaysia.

-- BERNAMA