Play bigger role in global security

TOKYO: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak believes Asia can explore ways to make a bigger contribution to global security challenges.
Citing non-proliferation, he said Asean has adopted a comprehensive treaty, the Southeast Asian Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone.
"We should also make a concerted effort to implement and enforce strategic trade controls to cut the risk of dual-use goods," Najib told an audience comprising political leaders, economists and captains of industry at the prestigious Nikkei 20th International Conference on the Future of Asia here today.
Themed, "Rising Asia: Messages For the Next 20 Years", the conference was organised by the international media group, Nikkei Inc, of Japan.
This is Najib's second appearance as the keynote speaker at the conference after making his debut at the 17th edition in 2011. Also present was Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Tsuneo Kita, the president and chief executive officer of Nikkei Inc.
"Our regional agreement on piracy is also cited as a strong example of regional co-operation by the International Maritime Organisation, which seeks to replicate it elsewhere," said Najib.
He added that the same principle of sharing information and building capacity could be applied to anti-terrorism initiatives, which, despite some success, has sometimes lacked the co-ordination needed to be truly regional.
He said for Asia to continue to prosper in a stable global security environment, it must play its part not just in the enforcement of international norms but in their creation, too.
"With courage and foresight, however, we can deliver a stronger economic future for Asia. But, this future will not be assured unless we deliver the security and stability on which economic success depends," he said.
Najib also cautioned that over the past few years, the growing gap between rich and poor in developed economies, has become a pressing policy issue.
He said this was not just the battle cry of the "Occupy Wall Street" protesters, as many research institutions had pointed to the corrosive effect of structural inequality.
"A little inequality encourages individuals to work hard and innovate. But an unequal system creates hollow economies, where wealth and opportunity are kept for the few, at the expense of the many," said Najib.
"In my country, for example, where income inequality remains a concern, we are working to find the right balance between affirmative action and individual opportunity."
Najib also spoke on the need to build more balanced economies, with higher quality jobs, and more even growth spread across sectors, with a lasting commitment to fight corruption.
"Tackling corruption is not the work of a year, or even a decade, but it can and must be done. Government procurement should be reformed to introduce open bidding, bringing transparency to a process often blighted by graft.
"Strengthening independent anti-corruption institutions, and increasing prosecution of both bribe takers and givers, can help change attitudes, even when corruption is deeply rooted," he said.
Later, Najib. accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, left here for another working visit to Astana, Kazakhstan. – Bernama