ASEAN undecided over common time zone

Malaysia has actively proposed a common time zone for the Associations of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) as a symbol of integration, but some members are hesitated over the potential challenges to adjust the time.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 26th ASEAN Summit on Monday, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who chairs the summit this year, said a common time zone for ASEAN will be a symbol of ASEAN unity and good for business.

Najib told reporters in a press conference later that Malaysia believes a common time zone is timely and will stand to benefit ASEAN markets, facilitating trade flows and investment.

He said a common time zone will also fortify and promote greater integration, strengthening inter-governmental cooperation as governments have the same working hours and boosting the development of financial markets.

While some ASEAN countries support the proposal, others remain skeptical, especially those who need to adjust their time under a common time zone.

Najib declined to name which countries yet to agree to the proposal, saying some countries need further consultations and discussions over the issue.

Of the 10 Asean members, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Brunei are eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +8), while Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam are in the GMT +7 zone. Myanmar is 6 hours 30 minutes ahead of GMT. Indonesia covers three time zones from GMT +7 to GMT+9. Enditem