Former Minister Calls For Level Playing Field In ASEAN

KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 (Bernama) -- Former International Trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz has called on ASEAN to create a level playing field for all its member countries. She said the ASEAN community should allow its plans to be realised, including the removal of non-tariff barriers, by all in the regional grouping. "And then, you move forward to improve on what is not adequate and also ensure that those which have not been ratified or implemented, get done," she told reporters on the sidelines of the 12th ASEAN Leadership Forum, held in conjunction with the 26th ASEAN Summit here, Monday. Rafidah also agreed on the central authority initiative, to ensure that the plans can be implemented. "We should not be so idealistic, as to not take into account domestic imperatives. Everybody has domestic and economic problems. Let's focus on that before we push into total duty free, for example," she added. Rafidah said the way to do this, is via discussions and talking about the real issues that have been happening among industries in the region. "ASEAN has been over-burdened with so many things. So, now, let's put things right and I hope Malaysia will start thinking this way," she said. Rafidah also urged the ASEAN members to focus more on educating the youth in the region, where Malaysia as the current chairman of the 10-member regional grouping, should take the lead. -- BERNAMA