Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan yesterday announced that Malaysia spent RM184.4 million to host the 47th ASEAN Summit and related meetings which ended last month.
He also explained that the cost was in line with the allocation approved by the Ministry of Finance as well as existing financial governance procedures with the implementation of optimal cost-saving measures.
Mohamad stated that the summit ended successfully, reflecting Malaysia's high level of preparedness and coordination with foreign embassies in Kuala Lumpur in managing the logistical, security and protocol needs of each delegation.
The statement was made when he was responding to a question from Lim Lip Eng (PH-Kepong) on the cost of hosting the summit and the security measures implemented to ensure the safety of all participants.
As ASEAN chair, Malaysia hosted a high-profile summit from 26 to 28 October, attended by world leaders including United States (US) President Donald Trump, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung, and the Prime Ministers of Australia, Canada, and Japan.
In addition, the smooth organisation and positive feedback from participants and the international community highlighted Malaysia's ability to host major international events.
Highlights of the summit included the signing of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Agreement between Cambodia and Thailand to end a long-standing dispute, as well as a reciprocal trade agreement between the US and Malaysia, where Washington maintained tariffs at 19%.
