Malaysia’s Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook is attending the 12th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Transport Ministers’ Meeting in Beijing this week, where he is engaging in bilateral talks and formalising key agreements between Malaysia and China.
According to the Transport Ministry, Loke’s visit, spanning September 21 and 22, involves the signing of two significant Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs). The first establishes a broad transport cooperation framework between Malaysia and China, encompassing multiple sectors including land, rail, maritime, aviation, and logistics. This agreement aims to deepen collaboration and enhance connectivity between the two nations in these critical areas.
The second MOU concerns aviation safety and is signed between the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). This pact addresses key regulatory aspects such as airworthiness standards, certification of aviation organisations, personnel licensing, and operational oversight. It also includes provisions for mutual recognition of compliance findings and certificates, aiming to strengthen aviation safety and regulatory harmonisation between the two countries.
Following the Beijing meetings, Loke is scheduled to travel to Shanghai to join Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s official delegation. After fulfilling his commitments in China, Loke will return to Malaysia to manage the formal process surrounding his resignation from the Cabinet as Transport Minister.
The ministry’s announcement underscores Malaysia’s intention to maintain strong bilateral ties with China in the transport sector, despite Loke’s impending exit from his ministerial role. Details regarding the reasons behind his resignation or a potential successor have not been disclosed.
