Malaysia is on the right path to strengthening its transportation network and connectivity among Asean member states to drive economic growth, says Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.
Speaking at the 30th Asean Transport Ministers meeting on Thursday (Nov 21), the Deputy Prime Minister emphasised that an efficient transportation network is crucial for enhancing the movement of people, goods, and services across the Asean region, including China.
Fadillah highlighted that Asean has achieved notable milestones since its establishment, including regional integration initiatives that have laid a strong foundation for greater connectivity and cooperation in the region.
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Speaking at the 30th Asean Transport Ministers meeting on Thursday (Nov 21), the Deputy Prime Minister emphasised that an efficient transportation network is crucial for enhancing the movement of people, goods, and services across the Asean region, including China.
Fadillah highlighted that Asean has achieved notable milestones since its establishment, including regional integration initiatives that have laid a strong foundation for greater connectivity and cooperation in the region.
Read more at https://tinyurl.com/mbyshkn8
WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news
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NewsTranscript
00:00Over the past years, our region has seen important milestones achieved in the transportation
00:19sector, particularly in infrastructure and policy framework initiatives such as the ASEAN
00:25Single Window, ASEAN Cross-Border Transport Agreements and ASEAN Highway Network, have
00:32been pivotal, especially in enhancing regional integration.
00:39Undertaking the concerted regional and national programmes to improve our transport system,
00:45the transportation sector has indeed created a lot of job opportunities for locals and
00:51cross-borders key labourers in various sectors and thus directly improve the socio-economic
00:59and wellbeing of our ASEAN community.
01:02These accomplishments are a testament to our collective vision and dedication.
01:09Ladies and gentlemen, as ASEAN citizens, I am sure all of us have witnessed the progress
01:16that has turned around the transportation sector and its profound implications for the
01:22communities we live in.
01:25Take for example the Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Links.
01:29It is a major infrastructure initiative with far-reaching implications, not just for transportation,
01:37but also for economic integration, regional cooperation and sustainability.
01:43The broader impact of the project goes beyond simply connecting the two cities.
01:48It also has significant potential for reshaping the way people and goods move within the wider
01:56ASEAN region.
01:58I personally look forward to completion of the RTS project in 2026 and witnessing its
02:04impact to our citizens.
02:08We have also made further inroads in our land connectivity.
02:11I am particularly pleased that Ketapi Tanah Melayu Berhad has started operating the cargo
02:17rail service under the ASEAN Express Freight Train which links Malaysia, Thailand, Laos-PDR
02:25and China.
02:27This is a remarkable achievement to the logistics sector as it facilitates cross-border trade
02:34and transportation of goods across ASEAN.
02:37It has also seen multiplying economic effects to the region.
02:41It would be a remiss of me if I did not highlight milestones that we have achieved in the aviation
02:48sector.
02:50ASEAN Open Sky Policy has not only made air travel more affordable and accessible across
02:56ASEAN, but also enabled us to travel by air to cities within the region that were previously
03:04underserved.
03:06This has given us the opportunity to get to know each other better.
03:12The liberalisation of air transport under ASEAN Open Sky Policy has also fostered closer
03:18economic integration and the expansion of business in aviation.
03:23AirAsia, with physical business operations in almost all ASEAN Member States, for instance
03:31is basically an ASEAN's airline.
03:33Hence, its tagline of now everyone can fly precisely mirrors the significant achievement
03:41of ASEAN.
03:43Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, all the transportation developments we see
03:48often lead to increased job creation, higher productivity and expansion of local businesses.
03:56From these perspectives, the next phase of strategies for the transportation sector is
04:01therefore vital.
04:03To stay up with the global megatrends, we should prioritise sustainability, addressing
04:10environmental issues, digital transformation and utilising artificial intelligence.
04:18Megatrends cannot be ignored and we must start to design future transport policy frameworks
04:24and infrastructure that are able to handle the complexity of these revolutionary changes.
04:34Indispensably, the future transport policy frameworks, infrastructures and facilities
04:42must also accommodate a vulnerable community in ASEAN.
04:45We, ASEAN, are a big family.
04:49It has been a success story, as I said earlier.
04:54Now, we are looking for ways to improve the relationship between ASEAN Member States.
05:00Not only in the transportation sector, because transportation is the most important
05:04as it is a mode for us to transport people, goods and services.
05:12Alhamdulillah, we have seen an increase.
05:16RTS, for example, between Singapore and Malaysia.
05:20We also have relations between Thailand, Laos and China.
05:27I think we have a good foundation to strengthen the transportation network
05:34among ASEAN Member States.
05:36In your speech, you said that the development of public transport is not only for the economy
05:41but also for ASEAN.
05:43Can you elaborate on that?
05:46The economy is for the transportation of goods and services.
05:49If it is efficient, it will definitely help to develop the economy.
05:52When the economy develops, it will definitely need workers.
05:55The number of workers will increase.
05:57When the number of workers increases, it will definitely be an economic advantage
06:00for the local communities and so on.
06:02So, that is what we hope for.