Malaysia's parliament resumes meeting after nine-month hiatus
Malaysian King Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah opened the 4th session of the 14th National Assembly on September 13, which is the first session of the government headed by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and also the first meeting since December 17, 2020.
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - Malaysian King Al-Sultan AbdullahRi'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah opened the 4th session of the 14thNational Assembly on September 13, which is the first session of thegovernment headed by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and also the firstmeeting since December 17, 2020.
It is worth noting that the meeting's agenda did not include a vote ofconfidence in the new Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
In his opening remarks, the Malaysian king highly appreciated the roleplayed by Prime Minister Ismail and the cabinet in the fight againstCOVID-19, and welcomed the government's commitment to promoting economicgrowth. He said he is confident that the new government will achieve its goals withinthe first 100 days of operation.
In order to minimise the risk of COVID-19 infection during the session of the National Assembly, Speaker of the House Azhar Azizan Harunsaid that epidemic prevention equipment has been installed in all main halls of the National Assembly building. All 1,801 parliamentarians and staff members were tested for COVID-19 on September 10 and 11, with 26 testing positive.
The session will last for 17 days, until October 12. The most recent session of the 14th National Assembly took place on December 17, 2020.Earlier this year, the National Coalition (PN) government made a proposal todeclare a state of emergency to combat COVID-19 and was approved by theKing., under which the law making bodies of the country and its states suspended their operations./.
The new Malaysian Cabinet’s first meeting chaired by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob took place virtually on September 1, focusing on the latest situation of COVID-19 in the country.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia in collaboration with the Vietnamese women’s union and competent Malaysian agencies organised vaccinations for 200 Vietnamese expats on September 4.
Malaysian experts have recommended health officials keep a close eye on the new COVID-19 variant, dubbed "Mu", as it has the potential to be more transmissible, more virulent and possibly able to evade vaccines, reported the New Straits Times.
Malaysia on September began paying out its Special COVID-19 Aid (BKC), while Cambodia has vaccinated over 95 percent of adults since its vaccination campaign started in February.
Malaysia is putting a priority on rebuilding its economy and placing the country on a stronger footing with a more competitive economy, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Economy) Mustapa Mohamed.
Total trade between Indonesia and New Zealand in the first half of 2025 reached 963.23 million USD, an increase of 21.56% compared to 792.39 million USD in the same period last year. Of this amount, Indonesia's exports to New Zealand totaled 374.89 million USD, while imports 588.35 million USD
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Illustrative image (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
