PUTRAJAYA: Unity government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has instructed that locations across the country be used to host Asean meetings when Malaysia assumes the chairmanship of regional grouping in 2025.
Fahmi said the aim was to ensure all states got some economic benefit from the events.
He said the Foreign Ministry and the Asean Summit 2025 secretariat would coordinate the distribution of events and meetings.
"It is intended to benefit the entire country, not just a few states.
"When Malaysia hosts the Asean Summit, the souvenirs must reflect a Malaysian concept.
"We will ensure that artisans or craft makers can participate on a large scale throughout the Asean Summit," he said at a press conference here today.
Fahmi said the cabinet was also informed by the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry about the implementation of a "fleet card" for transport providers to get subsidised diesel starting tomorrow (February 1).
"The ministry will provide further information, but it is specifically large companies that will start using the 'fleet card' tomorrow," he said.
In another development, Fahmi said Anwar also requested that ministers get more involved in the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (Sara) cash aid programme after the prime minister recently observed the implementation of the scheme in Ipoh, Perak.
"This is to ensure that ministers and members of parliament can identify and understand the Sara implementation and the benefit (it brings to) their respective areas," he said.