Collective voice vital in asserting global stance

AWANI

The importance of a unified ASEAN approach in tariff negotiations with the U.S. and Malaysia's engagement with neighbors was discussed at Taylor's University's Distinguished Diplomat Series, featuring former Malaysian Ambassador Datuk Dr. Ilango Karuppannan.

Transcript

00:00How critical is the unified ASEAN approach in our tariff negotiations with the US?

00:06And how can Malaysia engage our neighbours in facing this mammoth challenge?

00:11Earlier today, Taylor's University launches its Distinguished Diplomat Series

00:15with a dialogue on Malaysia-Singapore relations.

00:18For a snapshot of the conversation there,

00:21our correspondent Lauren Tan speaks to former Malaysian Ambassador Datuk Dr. Ilanggo Karupanyan.

00:27Today, we're here at Taylor's Lakeside Campus for Taylor's Distinguished Diplomat Series.

00:35Joining here with us is Datuk Dr. Ilanggo Karupanan.

00:38Dr. Ilanggo is a former Malaysian Ambassador and currently an Adjunct Professor in Taylor's University.

00:45Dr. Ilanggo, how vital is a unified ASEAN country approach

00:50to resolving the issues of tariffs to each of the member countries?

00:55Thank you very much.

00:56I think you chose a very important word, unified approach.

01:01Well, insofar as the tariffs are concerned,

01:04you all know that the tariffs are of different levels, right?

01:07So, obviously, you cannot have a common approach.

01:11But unified approach means that the 10 countries can agree to deal with the US

01:18on explaining the positions of how the tariffs hurt bilateral relations between America and Southeast Asia.

01:26So, a unified approach would allow us to explain to the Americans that ASEAN is important to them.

01:33So, therefore, our collective voice would convey the concerns of the member countries that these tariffs should be looked in a bigger context

01:44rather than, you know, very micro, let's say, trade perspective alone.

01:49So, I agree with your term, unified, in the sense that we must be collective in that sense.

01:54But as far as the tariffs per se, that has to be dealt with bilaterally, individually.

01:59But, you know, collectively, I mean, the big message across.

02:02Thank you so much.

02:04And given the strategic importance of both Malaysia and Singapore in ASEAN,

02:09how can the two nations collaborate more effectively in shaping regional responses

02:14to global challenges like climate change or technological disruption?

02:20Well, Malaysia and Singapore have led the way in many areas

02:24as two countries which have been actually at the forefront in terms of coming up with solutions.

02:30Now that we have just heard about, you know, this new thing that we are looking at,

02:35the Joe Singapore Special Economic Zone.

02:37Sorry, I'm touching on a little bit on the economic side.

02:40But the point I want to emphasize is that these two countries have been sort of forerunners

02:45in showing that countries can take an integrated approach.

02:49Now, you brought specific examples of climate change and technological disruptions.

02:54These are very big issues.

02:56Actually, climate change is a huge problem.

02:57It does not only involve Malaysia and Singapore.

03:02But we can collectively pass the message that we, all of ASEAN,

03:07plus our neighbours around ASEAN have to play a role in terms of what we call environment.

03:12But technological disruption, I think Malaysia and Singapore, you know,

03:15are among the two countries which are very high levels of technology adoption.

03:20I'm not sure exactly because I'm not a technologist myself per se, right?

03:24But I think we can show the way that, you know, two countries can look and work together

03:29and come up with creative ideas to, you know, address a problem.

03:33Like the ambassador mentioned just now, creative solutions is what we are all known for.

03:37And I think that's where our strength lies.

03:40Thank you so much, Dr. Irlango.

03:42That's all we have for today.

03:44I'm Lauren Tan.

03:46And back to you at the studios.

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