“The pertinent point here is that issues of peace, solidarity, international law and conflict should not be left to the executive alone. The legislature, too, must be involved, complementing the efforts of the executive,” he told Bernama.

Johari is attending the Second Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference (ISC-2), jointly hosted by Cambodia’s National Assembly and Senate from Aug 26 to 28 under the theme “Solidarity for Peace and Shared Prosperity: Strengthening International Law and Resolving Conflicts Peacefully.”

He said closer cooperation between the executive and legislative branches would ensure that the concerns of ordinary people are addressed comprehensively.

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“Sometimes, the legislature has a broader understanding of what is happening, whereas the executive probably looks at it from a political perspective. The combination of these two entities is very important to make the world a safer place,” he said.

In his speech during the general debate at ISC-2 on Thursday, Johari said conflicts were becoming increasingly complex, geopolitical divisions were deepening, and institutions established to safeguard international peace and security were being tested.

He said the human cost of conflict extended far beyond statistics, with families displaced, children deprived of education and communities fractured by violence.

Against this backdrop, Johari said parliamentary diplomacy could keep channels of dialogue open when relations between governments became strained.

“Parliamentary engagement allows us to continue conversations even when official relations become difficult.

“It creates space for dialogue across political and national divides, builds trust between institutions and reminds us that disagreement does not have to lead inevitably to confrontation,” he said.

Johari said Malaysia believed lasting peace must rest on respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, international law and the peaceful settlement of disputes.

These principles were particularly relevant to Southeast Asia, where ASEAN was founded on dialogue, consultation and the belief that regional peace must be continuously nurtured.

“Whenever differences arise among countries in our region, ASEAN must continue to provide a platform for constructive engagement and peaceful dialogue.

“Our Parliaments, through their respective roles, can complement these efforts by strengthening understanding between our peoples and encouraging solutions grounded in international law, mutual respect and regional stability,” he said.

Indonesia will host the third ISC next year, following Pakistan, which hosted the inaugural conference in 2025.

-- BERNAMA