FRIDAY, 4 DECEMBER – The settlement of regional issues in East Asia and Southeast Asia on the causes of conflict must be made through discussions based on academic research.

This was said by the Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Professor Datuk Dr. Mohd Harun Abdullah in his opening speech at the the International Workshop on Peace Resolution and Regional Issues in East Asia and Southeast Asia.

“Countries in this region have been trying to negotiate in a bilateral way with China on the issues of South China Sea for a long period of time.

“These discussions are very difficult but for the sake of peace in the region, it must be held,” he said.

His speech was read by professor in the International Relations Programme, Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Heritage, Professor Dr. Kamarulzaman Askandar.

He added, these discussions must not end here, but should be held and widely disseminated to society especially policy makers and the next generation.

The five-day programme organised by UMS International Relations Programme in collaboration with the North Asia History Foundation and the Southeast Asia Conflict Studies Network among others aimed at analysing and understanding the issues on regional peace, sharing of territorial and maritime experienced by Korea and Malaysia, study on a peaceful solution and promote academic exchanges between East Asia and Southeast Asia. – (fl)