PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim, accompanied by his wife Dr Wan Azizah Dr Wan Ismail, have arrived at the venue of the 43rd Asean Summit in Jakarta.

On arrival at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) in Senayan, they were welcomed by Indonesian President Joko Widodo and his wife Iriana as well as Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi.

Anwar is leading the Malaysian delegation to the Asean Summit and related summits, being held from today until Thursday under Indonesia’s Asean chairmanship with the theme “Asean Matters – Epicentrum of Growth”. 

He will participate in the Asean Summit and the opening of the Asean-Indo Pacific Forum (AIPF) as well as hold meetings with the Malaysian diaspora and Indonesian friends in the Temu Anwar programme. 

Yesterday, Anwar expressed hope that Malaysia’s participation in the annual summit will further strengthen the bloc’s centrality in the Indo-Pacific region and encourage Asean’s inclusiveness and openness in its ties with external partners.

“This platform can encourage togetherness, peace and stability while facing challenges and changing regional geopolitical evolution,” he said.

The platform can also be used to state the government’s direction on related global issues, in addition to the other series of summits to strengthen the diplomatic network that has long been forged with Asean partners, he added. – Bernama, September 5, 2023.