Malaysia Strengthens Role As AIPA 2025 Chair Through Parliamentary Diplomacy In Thailand

By Kenny Teng

BANGKOK, July 3 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has further reinforced its role in ASEAN parliamentary diplomacy as Dewan Rakyat Speaker and President of AIPA 2025, Tan Sri Johari Abdul, paid a courtesy call on the Speaker of the Thai Parliament, Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, in Bangkok today.

“This marks another strategic step towards a more inclusive, resilient, and harmonious ASEAN,” Johari said in a statement on Wednesday.

During the meeting, Wan Muhamad Noor expressed full support for Malaysia’s leadership as AIPA Chair in 2025 and congratulated Malaysia on its successful hosting of several AIPA-related meetings.

Among the meetings highlighted were the AIPA Women Parliamentarians' Meeting (WAIPA) in Sarawak, the AIPA Young Parliamentarians' Meeting (YPA) in Selangor, the ASEAN-AIPA Interface Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, and the AIPA Advisory Council on Dangerous Drugs (AIPACODD) Meeting in Pahang.

Wan Muhamad Noor also conveyed his hope that the AIPA General Assembly would serve not only as a platform to strengthen regional legislative cooperation but also as a strategic forum for deeper discussions on increasingly complex global issues, including the conflict in Palestine and geopolitical tensions in Iran.

He further expressed Thailand’s readiness to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Malaysia-Thailand diplomatic relations in 2027 and voiced hope that parliamentary ties between the two countries would continue to strengthen ahead of this milestone.

In addition, Wan Muhamad Noor proposed enhancing Malaysia-Thailand cooperation in the tourism sector and welcomed the suggestion to invite Malaysian Members of Parliament to Thailand again as part of efforts to deepen cross-cultural understanding and build a foundation for progressive regional leadership.

-- BERNAMA