KL wants start of EAEC

KL wants start of EAEC

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysia will soon notify other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) of its desire to see a quick take-off of a caucus for East Asia even if it does not include Japan, officials said yesterday.

Foreign Minister Abdullah Badawi would convey the message to his counterparts in ASEAN through the group's secretariat in Jakarta, a foreign ministry spokesman said.

Abdullah told reporters late Wednesday that it was up to ASEAN and the countries in support of the Malaysia-initiated East Asia Economic Caucus (EAEC) to proceed with its establishment even without Japan.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, returning from a five-day visit to Japan on Tuesday, said his four-year old proposal for EAEC could succeed even if Japan opted to stay out.

Mahathir also said it did not matter whether Japan joined the caucus now or after it was set up.