TRANSPORT Minister Anthony Loke has clarified that the gift he presented to Chinese President Xi Jinping during the latter’s visit to Malaysia was a personal gesture and not an official government offering.
Addressing reporters after the Ministry of Transport’s monthly assembly and ‘Raikan Kasih MADANI 2025’ event, Loke said: “The gift was a personal one, and I never said it was from the government.”
The clarification comes after visuals of the handover — which took place near a rear exit at the airport — circulated online, with some social media users accusing Loke of conducting an “unofficial” or “backdoor” presentation.
The gift, a handcrafted plaque featuring a dragon motif, was produced by Royal Selangor and symbolises strength, wisdom, and friendship in Chinese culture.
Loke explained that the gift was presented in that particular location as a safety precaution due to President Xi’s strict security protocols before his departure to Cambodia on April 17.
Rail link vital for ASEAN supply chain security
In a broader discussion on regional connectivity, Loke also emphasised the importance of strengthening rail infrastructure across ASEAN, highlighting its strategic role in ensuring secure and resilient supply chains amid global uncertainties.
“When we connect through railways across countries, it enhances regional connectivity and also secures the supply chain. The world today faces many uncertainties and disruptions,” said Loke.
He pointed out that Malaysia’s geographic position between the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea provides a strategic advantage as a regional transit hub.
“We hope ASEAN can build consensus to improve these connections. If we enhance connectivity, other landlocked countries will certainly be more interested in linking up,” he added.
To support the Pan-Asia Railway Network, Loke said Malaysia is working towards a new bilateral rail policy with Thailand. He is scheduled to meet with Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, on 2 May to address logistical issues, including restrictions on certain goods moving across the border by rail.
“These are matters we must resolve to reduce trade barriers and enhance intra-ASEAN trade,” he said.
As Malaysia prepares to host the upcoming ASEAN Summit, Loke noted that addressing the current global economic slowdown — driven in part by the recent tariff hikes from the United States — is a key focus.
“It is crucial for ASEAN to maintain a high level of competitiveness and boost intra-regional trade so that we don’t rely too heavily on any single market,” Loke said.
He added that Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport plays a pivotal role in enabling trade within ASEAN by pushing for policy instruments that minimise bureaucratic hurdles and trade restrictions among member states.
Currently, cooperation between Malaysia’s Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) and Thailand’s State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is ongoing, but Loke stressed that enhanced government-to-government (G2G) coordination is essential for real progress. - April 22, 2025
