Xinhua
Kuala Lumpur, Feb 18 (Xinhua) The Malaysian cabinet has ratified the charter of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Foreign Ministry announced here Monday. Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar has signed the instrument of ratification of the ASEAN Charter, the ministry said in a press release.

“The instrument of ratification will be deposited with the Secretary-General of ASEAN soon,” it added.

The leaders of ten ASEAN member countries signed the charter at the 13th ASEAN Summit Nov 20 last year in Singapore.

Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi dissolved the Malaysian parliament Feb 13 to pave way for the 12th general elections in the country, which will be held on March 8 this year.

The ASEAN charter establishes the group, which comprises of 10 countries - Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam - as a legal entity, creating permanent representation for members at its secretariat in Jakarta and committing heads of state to meetings twice a year.
Xinhua