SUNGAI PETANI: Malaysia is ready to welcome delegates of the 46th Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) General Assembly for 2025 that is scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur from Sept 1 to 6 next year.
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said preparations were well underway to ensure Malaysia excels as the host for AIPA 2025.
Johari, who serves as the AIPA 2025 president, said the assembly will mark the culmination of a series of four preceding meetings hosted in various states across Malaysia.
"The Asean Summit will be led by the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim), while at the AIPA level, we will hold five major meetings that I will lead.
"We have planned thoroughly and are ready to manage everything. AIPA traditionally features five key meetings, culminating in the General Assembly, scheduled from Sept 1 to 6," he said at a press conference after presenting post-flood aid under the Parliament's Insan Madani Squad today.
Johari said he will begin travelling to all Asean member countries from Jan 13 next year to meet with the delegates and ensure smooth coordination for AIPA.
"We will do our best. I am confident based on the feedback received so far. Starting in January, I will visit all Asean countries to discuss the necessary arrangements for the General Assembly. I will personally engage with all Asean nations to ensure we are the best hosts," he said.
He also said the four preceding meetings will be held in states such as Selangor, Pahang and Sarawak to provide delegates with a broader experience of Malaysia.
On the post-flood aid, Johari said 55 families in Jeniang affected by the November floods received food baskets and essential items. He said the aid was made possible through contributions from private corporations and allocations from Parliament.
"Today, we are fulfilling the prime minister's aspiration to assist flood victims affected by recent disasters. We will visit many more areas that were impacted," he added.