Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698831218513.pdf (Malaysia)
AIPA MESSAGE BY H.E.
TAN SRI DATUK SERI PANGLIMA PANDIKAR AMIN BIN HAJI MULIA PRESIDENT OF AIPA & SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF MALAYSIA ASEAN LEADERS’ INTERFACE MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF ASEAN INTER-PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY (AIPA) 26TH ASEAN SUMMIT 27 APRIL 2015 (MONDAY), 11.30 am KUALA LUMPUR CONVENTION CENTRE Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh Your Excellency Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak, Chairman of the 26th ASEAN Summit and Prime Minister of Malaysia; His Excellencies, Heads of State and Heads of Government of ASEAN Member States and Secretary General of ASEAN; Honourable Speakers, Honourable Deputy Speakers, Honourable Heads of Delegation and Parliamentarians of AIPA Member Parliaments and Secretary General of AIPA.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Alhamdulillah, by the Grace of Allah the Almighty, this momentous opportunity is accorded to ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) delegation to meet ASEAN Leaders and deliberate on issues pertaining to the realisation of the ASEAN Community, and what lies beyond 2015 for ASEAN and AIPA.

Hon.

Chairman of the ASEAN Summit, I thank you, in allowing me, as the President of AIPA to deliver the AIPA's Message to the 2.

ASEAN Leaders.
ASEAN Leaders.

The message emphasises on 2 important matters: First, the 3 pillars of the ASEAN Page | 1 Community and second, the strengthening of communication and cooperation between ASEAN and AIPA.

With your permission Hon.

Chair Sir, I shall begin with AIPA’s perspectives on the first pillar, the ASEAN Political-Security Community.

Honourable Chairman, 3.

The establishment of the ASEAN Community underscores the need to strengthen a rules- based regional community.
In this respect, the consistency between, and harmonisation of domestic and regional rules and commitments, are of paramount importance.

Hence, this ASEAN-AIPA interface will play a pivotal role in promoting cooperation and coordination between the executive and legislative branches.
The vulnerability of Southeast Asian States and their people to extremist ideologies, such as 4. the Islamic State (IS), makes the implementation of ASEAN Convention on Counter-Terrorism and ASEAN Comprehensive Plan of Action on Counter-Terrorism, an urgent priority.

Honourable Chairman, 5.

In line with the ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint, AIPA is equally committed to the realisation of a cohesive, peaceful and resilient region with a shared responsibility for comprehensive security.

6.
6.

AIPA urges ASEAN Member States to commit themselves to combat trafficking in persons, illicit drug, cyber-crimes and money laundering.

For the successful fight against these transnational crimes, ASEAN Member States need comprehensive efforts to effectively implement the ASEAN Multi- lateral Extradition Treaty in Criminal Matters.

ASEAN Member States should also focus on mobilising resources by strengthening national 7. legislative measures.

Honourable Chairman, 8.


Given the significance of maritime security to ASEAN Member States, it is imperative to enhance the capacities of the ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF) and the Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF).

9.

It is also paramount for ASEAN Member States to abide by the existing rules and regulations on territorial claims based upon international laws such as the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS).

10.
10.

Furthermore, ASEAN should ensure an effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea by working towards the early conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

Honourable Chairman, I shall now move on to AIPA’s perspectives on the second pillar, ASEAN Economic 11.

Community.

Page | 2 12.


With the dawning of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015, the role of AIPA in ratifying ASEAN agreements, such as ASEAN Tourism Agreement, and translating its commitment into domestic legislation is of paramount importance.

AIPA could contribute significantly to the attainment of goals and aspirations of ASEAN 13. through inter-parliamentary cooperation and confidence building.
Possible cooperation activities should be pursued to ensure better AIPA appreciation and 14. support of the symbiotic relationship towards the ASEAN community building AND equitable economic development.

Honourable Chairman, 15.
These can be achieved by: (i) urging ASEAN Member States to facilitate mutual accord on issues concerning laws, or international agreements that may impact the realisation of the post 2015 ASEAN Vision; (ii) harmonising legislation for tariff and non-tariff barriers; and technical standards in ASEAN Member States towards movements of goods, services, investment, professionals and skilled workers; and (iii) supporting the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) that calls for a well-connected ASEAN that will contribute towards a more competitive and resilient ASEAN.
Honourable Chairman, I shall now talk about AIPA’s perspectives on the third pillar, ASEAN Socio-Cultural 16.

Community.

17.

In achieving ASEAN as a people-centred and inclusive community, AIPA supports the efforts of ASEAN in promoting gender equality and protecting human rights, in particular the rights of women, children and older persons.

AIPA also aligns itself with the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers.

18.
18.

AIPA calls for consolidated efforts to emphasise disaster risk reduction management as a cost-effective investment through the establishment of a national resilience-based approach to disaster risk reduction.

19.

In order to improve the quality of education and skills development within the region, AIPA urges ASEAN Member States to set and to adopt common standards of education and common accreditation systems to improve the quality of human development within ASEAN.
AIPA also encourages ASEAN Member States to utilise the development of ICT to improve cooperation within ASEAN.

Honourable Chairman, Before I conclude this Message, let me share with you AIPA’s thoughts on the relations and 20. partnership between ASEAN and AIPA.
Page | 3 As ASEAN moves towards a people-centred community, there is a need to crystalise the 21. definition of a “people-centred” ASEAN so that its peoples can better comprehend or understand its meaning to enable them to work together in fulfilling the goals of ASEAN.

It is also necessary that ASEAN and AIPA be in tune to achieve the ASEAN Vision from their respective perspectives.
It is also imperative that both bodies work closely to bring about an awareness of their vision and mission among the peoples of ASEAN and all ASEAN stakeholders.

Honourable Chairman, 22.

Greater efforts also need to be made to bring the agreements and decisions reached at ASEAN Summits and resolutions adopted at AIPA General Assemblies to the attention of Member Parliaments and, if possible, have these mentioned as an agenda item during the sittings of Parliament.
ASEAN and AIPA could also discuss policies and actions to formulate agreements or 23. resolutions for better cohesiveness, with focused discussions during their respective meetings at ASEAN Summits and AIPA General Assemblies.

This would enable ASEAN and AIPA to avoid duplication, overlapping and contradictions in their decision-making process.

Such discussions could be coordinated by the ASEAN and AIPA Secretariats.

24.

It is imperative for AIPA to support the ASEAN Community's Post-2015 vision.
Hence, AIPA urges to institutionalise the annual ASEAN-AIPA Leaders meeting with a view to strengthening cooperation, coordination and collaboration between legislative and executive branches in the process of the establishment of a rules-based ASEAN Community.

Formalising the ASEAN-AIPA meeting into a regular formal meeting would help improve AIPA's participation in relevant ASEAN affairs.

Honourable Chairman, 25.


In conclusion, AIPA wish to put on record its utmost appreciation to His Excellency Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak, Chairman of the 26th ASEAN Summit and Prime Minister of Malaysia, for his commitment in accelerating the pace of ASEAN steps towards reaching its goals, and to bring ASEAN and AIPA into a closer and enhanced meaningful cooperation.

26.
26.

AIPA would also like to record its utmost appreciation to all of the ASEAN Head of State and Head of Government for agreeing to an informal meeting with AIPA’s Representatives since the 14th ASEAN Summit in 2009 in Cha-Am, Thailand.

Honourable Chairman, May Allah bless our endeavours to achieve a stable, peaceful, integrated and prosperous ASEAN.

Thank you.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 27th April 2015 Page | 4