“We must reduce extreme poverty to zero percent. Countries cannot allow poverty levels to rise, and they must tackle this issue,” Ibrahim stated in response to an ANTARA question about poverty alleviation efforts in the region, on Sunday (May 25) local time.
In a special interview with the media ahead of the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Ibrahim stated that eradicating poverty must go hand in hand with efforts by ASEAN countries to advance their national and regional economies.
He called on ASEAN nations to reaffirm their commitment, through joint agreements and ASEAN declarations, to addressing poverty and societal inequality in their countries.
“Otherwise, all discussions on economic development will mean nothing for the lives and welfare of the poor,” he stated.
As the current ASEAN Chair, Malaysia will continue to promote the poverty alleviation agenda at the regional level, including through the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, which was signed at this summit.
Ibrahim also emphasized that addressing poverty and inequality is a driving force behind the declaration. “(It is) because development requires the protection of the lives of ordinary people,” he added.
Meanwhile, regarding cybersecurity and cross-border online fraud in Southeast Asia, the Malaysian prime minister highlighted that Malaysia has established effective cooperation with Laos and Cambodia, both bilaterally and regionally.
Malaysia is hosting the 46th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur on May 26-27, 2025. In addition to the ASEAN Summit, the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the 1st ASEAN-GCC-China Summit will also be held.
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Translator: Virna, Nabil, Kenzu
Editor: Primayanti
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