The 46th Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) today called for an end to the genocide in Gaza, Palestine, and the resumption of a ceasefire.
Its president, Tan Sri Johari Abdul, said AIPA leaders expressed their strong desire for a ceasefire to be implemented in the war-torn region.
“We have made a strong statement for an end to the genocide in Gaza,” said Johari.
“We call for peace and the implementation of a ceasefire. The whole world knows what is happening in Gaza. We (AIPA) used the word genocide because that is what is taking place.”
Gaza has been under relentless attack since Oct 7, 2023. Israel has repeatedly ignored calls for a ceasefire. Women, children, and babies are dying by the thousands.
According to international reports, some of Israel’s long-standing allies have joined mounting global pressure after Israel expanded military operations against Gaza’s Hamas rulers. The conflict was triggered by Hamas’s 2023 attack on Israel.
Meanwhile, in line with the Asean Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, AIPA reaffirmed its commitment to peace, international law, and regional stability. It urged continued dialogue and diplomacy, addressing geopolitical issues in Gaza, Myanmar, the South China Sea, and Ukraine.
Johari said AIPA is confident there is “light at the end of the tunnel” in resolving the Myanmar crisis.
He said Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged Myanmar’s military junta and the National Unity Government (NUG) to come to the negotiating table.
“Asean has called all warring factions to the table, and there is hope for a peaceful resolution,” said Johari.
“There are many factions, each with its own reasons for fighting. Asean’s role is to engage with every party, understand their goals, and find a way forward. We are making progress.”
He added that the Myanmar issue is being handled “the Asean way” and that a peaceful outcome may be possible by the end of this year or early next year.
However, former lawmaker Charles Santiago criticised Anwar’s earlier proposal, calling it strategically flawed.
Santiago, co-chair of Asean Parliamentarians for Human Rights, said the junta and the NUG are not merely opposing political groups but represent fundamentally conflicting worldviews that cannot be reconciled through compromise.
The Asean-AIPA Leaders’ Interface remains a key platform in Asean’s push for synergy between the executive and legislative arms of government.
As a structured forum involving Asean Heads of State/Government and representatives from AIPA member parliaments, the Interface helps align regional priorities through inclusive, multi-stakeholder engagement.
It also reinforces Asean’s vision of a people-oriented, people-centred community – one that can only be fully realised through meaningful parliamentary participation and accountability.
Timor-Leste confident it will be 11th Asean member by October
Among the delegates to the Asean Summit, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao stood out with his broad smile and relaxed demeanour.
The prime minister of Timor-Leste exuded confidence as he made his way to the venue of the Asean-AIPA Leaders’ Interface with representatives of the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly.
Stopped by a group of media representatives, Gusmao exchanged a few words – and even cracked a few jokes.
When asked if he was confident his country would soon become Asean’s 11th member state, Gusmao replied in his trademark booming voice: “Very confident”.
Anwar and his Laotian counterpart, Sonexay Siphandone, had earlier said it was time to finalise Timor-Leste’s accession process.
Timor-Leste officially applied for Asean membership on March 4, 2011. After 14 years of engagement, the country is poised to become Asean’s first new member since Cambodia joined in 1999.
