FAUZIAH ISMAIL: Abdullah proud of Asean's success

New Strait Times, 27 February 2009

 Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi being greeted by Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva in Hua Hin yesterday. — Bernama picture 

THIS may be his last outing at Asean summits and meetings but Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said he was neither unhappy nor sad to leave it. He described it as part of his work. 

His affiliation with Asean dates back to when he was foreign minister under Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad's administration. 

Abdullah said he was proud that the 42-year-old Asean had progressed and evolved into a regional grouping that was recognised the world over. 

"This is because of good cooperation and understanding and the willingness among member countries to resolve common problems. 

"While there were concerns before on some developments such as Spratlys and the overlapping claims that may upset the security in the region, that didn't happen.

"What is happening today is the inclination among member countries to cooperate and share resources. 

"Asean members, more than ever before, have to cooperate with one another to tide over the current economic crisis. We are all affected by it and it is only best that we help each other," he said after meeting Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on the sidelines of the 14th Asean Summit here. 

He said the Asean heads attending the summit were expected to endorse its finance ministers' proposal for the total size of the Multilateralised Chiang Mai Initiative from the initially agreed level of US$80 billion (RM296 billion) to US$120 billion, the proportion of the amount of contribution from member countries. 

He said with a market of more than 500 million, Asean would continue to encourage member countries to trade within the region and develop other economic activities.

On his meeting with the new Thai prime minister, Abdullah said both had discussed, among others, the situation in southern Thailand and the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle. 

"We have had some problems but both countries enjoy good bilateral relations. There are no new requests from the Thai side and Abhisit said he is ready to continue with whatever is already undertaken by both countries." 

Both sides also agreed for the continuation of the joint consultative commission between the two countries. 

Abdullah also extended an invitation to Abhisit to visit Malaysia, which the Thai premier accepted.