Malaysian Prime Minister: Opening the Strait of Hormuz is a priority for energy security and global supply chains
Kuala Lumpur, July 2 (KUNA) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stressed on Thursday the necessity of adhering to the ceasefire terms between the United States and Iran and fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz to international navigation, citing this as an urgent priority for energy security and global supply chains.
Speaking at the 39th Asia-Pacific Roundtable in Kuala Lumpur, Ibrahim welcomed the memorandum of understanding on the ceasefire between the US and Iran, praising the efforts of Gulf states, Turkey, Pakistan, and other countries in reaching the agreement, while warning against any violations.
He noted that rising food and energy prices have compelled many countries to divert billions of dollars from socio-economic development programs to purchasing essential goods. He emphasized that these burdens are not merely figures but directly impact people's lives, particularly in developing nations suffering from increased costs of energy, food, and transport.
Ibrahim also urged that attention not be diverted from the plight of Palestinians and the situation in Gaza, as well as the shelling in Lebanon, asserting that occupation, suppression, and the denial of Palestinian rights constitute part of a continuous settlement project.
He addressed the war in Sudan, stating it is escalating amid "significant indifference from the international community," and pointed to documented atrocities committed against civilians.
Regarding the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, which continues to target civilians and infrastructure, causing severe losses, the Malaysian Prime Minister stressed the need to halt violence in Europe, West Asia, and Africa through ceasefire agreements that prioritize civilian protection. He warned that the continuation of crises paints a bleak future rather than allowing humanity to celebrate its economic and technological progress.
On the file of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Ibrahim called for continued engagement with all parties to the conflict in Myanmar, from the authorities to the opposition, ethnic groups, and local civil society organizations. He affirmed that any resolution must be led exclusively by Myanmar.
He also expressed satisfaction with the commitment of the prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia to work toward a lasting peace in their ongoing dispute, emphasizing that addressing regional issues requires clarity, conviction, and direct or quiet action when necessary, while maintaining a united front within ASEAN.
For his part, Professor Mohamed Faiz Abdullah, Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS Malaysia), stated that ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific region are no longer merely required to adapt to a turbulent global system, but must contribute to shaping its outcomes by enhancing self-reliance, institutional resilience, and coordinated collective action.
He clarified that self-reliance means influencing outcomes, protecting national decision-making autonomy, and expanding political options amidst great power competition, thereby enabling regional countries to effectively contribute to shaping their future.
The roundtable sessions discussed several issues, including the fragmentation of the global order, the decline of international rules in the face of power and interest-based logic, and the rise of China and India in the Global South, along with the implications of their competition on Southeast Asian countries' choices. The sessions also evaluated ASEAN's capacity for renewal and its ability to overcome institutional stagnation.
Additionally, the discussions covered nuclear arsenal modernization and the possibility of resuming nuclear tests, highlighting the challenges this poses to the non-proliferation regime. They also addressed the reshaping of critical mineral supply chains due to national security considerations and industrial policies, and the resulting impacts on producers, importers, and global market balances.
The Asia-Pacific Roundtable is a prominent annual conference organized by ISIS Malaysia. Its 39th edition was held from June 30 to July 2 under the theme "Accelerating Self-Reliance and Action," featuring 35 speakers from 20 countries. (End) A.A.B / H.S.S
