PRESS RELEASE BY THE EMBASSY OF MALAYSIA IN VIENTIANE
THE 2ND ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION
OF LANGKAWI DECLARATION ON
THE GLOBAL MOVEMENT OF MODERATES
26 OCTOBER 2016
1. The 2nd Roundtable Discussion of Langkawi Declaration on the Global Movement of Moderates titled “The experience of Moderation in ASEAN and moderation as an ASEAN value towards peace, security and development” was held at Landmark Riverside Mekong Hotel in Vientiane, Lao PDR on 26 October 2016. The event was organised by the Global Movement of Moderates Foundation (GMMF) in collaboration with the Institute of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR and the Embassy of Malaysia in Vientiane.
2. More than 100 participants attended the Roundtable Discussion, comprising senior Lao Government Officials, representatives from ASEAN Member States, Academicians and members of the Diplomatic Corps.
3. The Roundtable Discussion commenced with the Welcoming Remarks by Dato’ Dr. Nasharudin Mat Isa, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, GMMF. In his remarks, Dato’ Dr. Nasharudin called on ASEAN Member States to be more balance and inclusive in their approaches to pursue moderation. He added that ASEAN Member States could achieve moderation through dialogue, tolerance, acceptance and coexistence based on the agreed principles and framework of cooperation of the Langkawi Declaration on the Global Movement of Moderates. He hoped that this Roundtable Discussion would be a catalyst for future engagement among ASEAN Member States.
4. Representing the Institute of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR, its Director General, His Excellency Yong Chanthalangsy recalled Lao PDR’s experience of peace building from the colonial era to the present as well as its role of strengthening ASEAN. He highlighted that the Lao PDR continues to uphold the core principle of peace building with ASEAN Member States and other countries across the region and in the wider scope across the globe. He also reiterated that the Lao PDR would continue to support the Global Movement of Moderates in promoting common and universal values of peace and friendship.
5. His Excellency Dato’ Than Tai Hing, Ambassador of Malaysia to the Lao PDR, in his remarks, highlighted that moderation is a well-known principle that runs through all civilizations and faiths. He echoed the call made by the Honourable Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Mohd. Najib Tun Abdul Razak 6 years ago at the 65th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, for the international community to rediscover the value of ‘moderation’. He also suggested that the success of Malaysia-Lao PDR bilateral relations driven by close friendship and goodwill and based on mutual respect, trust and understanding for the past 50 years, can be attributed as the success of ‘moderation” in action. He also took the opportunity to reaffirm Malaysia’s commitment to share its experience in marginalizing extremism while at the same time maintaining the peace and tranquility of a multi-ethnic society where different faiths and religious conviction co-exist and proper.
6. The Roundtable Discussion was officiated by His Excellency Mr. Thongphane Savanphet, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR. In his Address, he stated that challenges to peace and security has become more complex with the presence of the Islamic States (IS). He added that the IS has been recruiting peoples from all over the world especially the youth to join their ranks which has become a deep concern among the nations, including the ASEAN region. His Excellency Savanphet stressed that the Lao PDR has consistently pursued a foreign policy of peace, independence, friendship and cooperation. On Lao PDR’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2016, he highlighted the success of meetings hosted by the Lao PDR that has contributed to the building of ASEAN as a community towards peace, security and development to realise the theme "Turning Vision into Reality for a Dynamic ASEAN Community".
7. The Roundtable Discussion was divided into two sessions, namely “The Lessons and Experience of Moderation in ASEAN” and “Moderation as Common Agenda towards Peace, Security and Development”. It featured prominent speakers and academicians such as His Royal Highness Prince Norodom Sirivudh, Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace, Distinguished Professor Datuk Dr. Shamsul Amri Baharuddin, the Institute of Ethnic Studies, National University of Malaysia, Reverend Fernando R. Capalla, Archbishop of Davao, the Philippines, Dr. Robi Nurhadi, Secretary Majlis Ulama (Islamic Scholar Council) Indonesia, and Dr. Ilyas Yahprung, Wasatiyah Institute for Peace and Development Thailand.
8. During the discussions that were conducted in a frank and free-wheeling exchange of views, among others, Distinguished Professor Datuk Dr. Shamsul Amri Baharuddin stressed that a strong economic foundation is imperative in the process of promoting moderation in the region. His view was also echoed by Reverend Fernando R. Capalla, who also stressed the importance of the wellbeing to the people in ensuring moderation in ASEAN. Related to this, most of the participating speakers agreed on the need for concerted governmental efforts to close the development gap between the ASEAN Member States as envision by the ASEAN Vision 2015. Other speakers also shared their country’s experience in dealing with moderation and encouraged for ASEAN Member States to engage relevant stakeholders towards achieving peace, security and harmony in the region.
9. The 3rd Roundtable is scheduled to be held in Davao City, the Philippines in March 2017 while the 4th Roundtable in Siem Reap, Cambodia is scheduled in the second half of 2017.
Embassy of Malaysia in Vientiane
31 October 2016