Kuala Lumpur: The ASEAN Power Grid undersea cable project linking Vietnam to Peninsular Malaysia and onward to Singapore stands out as one of the key achievements of this year’s ASEAN Summit, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said. Speaking at a joint press conference with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, who is on a five-day official visit to Malaysia starting yesterday, Anwar also expressed appreciation for Vietnam’s strong support in advancing regional energy transition policies.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar emphasized the significance of effective programs and projects in realizing regional energy transition goals, praising Vietnam’s unwavering support in both multilateral ASEAN mechanisms and bilateral Malaysia-Vietnam initiatives. The ASEAN Power Grid initiative is part of a broader regional effort to integrate power grids, with Malaysia leading the first phase of the project to connect Vietnam with Peninsular Malaysia and eventually Singapore.

Anwar noted the rapid progress in Malaysia-Vietnam relations, which were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last year. This partnership has resulted in tangible cooperation across various sectors, including agriculture, academia, and maritime security. Anwar acknowledged existing challenges but emphasized both countries’ commitment to enhancing collaboration through joint operations and improved security arrangements.

Reflecting on Vietnam’s economic progress, Anwar commended Prime Minister Chinh’s leadership, noting Vietnam’s remarkable transformation from a low economic base to a thriving economy. He highlighted the lessons Malaysia could learn from Vietnam’s experience, recalling his role in facilitating the entry of Malaysian banks into the Vietnamese market during his tenure as Finance Minister in 1993, which demonstrated confidence in Vietnam’s economic future.