PRESS RELEASE BY THE EMBASSY OF MALAYSIA IN VIENTIANE
UNIVERSITY SEMINAR ON THE GLOBAL MOVEMENT OF MODERATES
27 OCTOBER 2016
1. The University Seminar on the Global Movement of Moderates was held at the Faculty of Law and Political Science, National University of Laos (NUOL) on 27 October 2016. The Seminar was organised by the Global Movement of Moderates Foundation (GMMF) in collaboration with the Embassy of Malaysia in Vientiane, Lao PDR as part of the commemorative efforts to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Diplomatic Relations between Malaysia and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), which was established on 1 July 1966.
2. The one-day Seminar was officiated by the Dean of the Faculty of Law and Political Science, Associate Professor Dr. Viengvilay Thiengchanxay. The Seminar was divided into two lectures, namely on "The 50th Anniversary of Malaysia – Lao PDR Bilateral Relations" and on "Countering Extremism and the Concept of Moderation". The Seminar was participated by more than 150 students from various faculties and disciplines of the NUOL.
3. The first lecture was delivered by Mr. Shahril Nizam Abdul Malek, Counsellor, Embassy of Malaysia in Vientiane, Lao PDR. His lecture was focused on the strengthening of Malaysia-Lao PDR bilateral relations since 1966 against the backdrop of the success of regional cooperation since the establishment of ASEAN in 1967. He alluded that the successful cooperation among the 5 founding members of ASEAN had generated confidence that was spreading across the region and bilateral relations among the countries in the Southeast Asia region had benefited from the peaceful situation in the region. Among others, he added that the situation was ripe for Malaysia and the Lao PDR to pursue a more substantive bilateral engagement. He then highlighted the key milestones of the success of Malaysia-Lao PDR bilateral relations namely the fact that Malaysia is now the 8th largest foreign investor in the Lao PDR and the increased connectivity between the two countries through the existing Airasia direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Vientiane and the commencement of AirAsia's direct flight from Kuala Lumpur to Luang Prabang on 21 November 2016.
4. The second lecture was delivered by Dato’ Dr. Nasharudin Mat Isa, Executive Chairman and CEO of GMMF who focused on the concept of moderation and the works of the GMMF. In his lecture, Dato’ Dr. Nasharudin highlighted that the idea of the Global Movement of Moderates that was mooted by Dato’ Seri Mohd Najib Tun Haji Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia at the 65th United Nations General Assembly on 27 September 2010 had received international recognition and acceptance. He introduced the GMMF as a platform for the global moderates to present a united front in exploring, formulating and implementing effective and compelling ways to counter the spread of extremist ideology. He called for the students to participate in the works of the GMMF and proposed for the establishment of GMMF Club in the NUOL. He shared his plan to introduce an academic module regarding the concept of moderation that can be taught in Universities and Higher Learning Institutions in Malaysia and subsequently, across the region soon.
5. The Embassy wishes to thank for the strong support of the Government of the Lao PDR in particular the NUOL for making the Seminar a success. The Embassy will continue to embark on such an initiative throughout the 50th anniversary commemorative year of bilateral relations in collaboration with the relevant Departments and Agencies of the Government of the Lao PDR.
Embassy of Malaysia in Vientiane
1 November 2016