KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia hopes a consensus can be reached on the common time zone for Asean capitals in the upcoming 27th Asean Summit.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak there were nations who threw their total support behind the proposed common time zone.

“But there are nations that need to deliberate further on the matter due to domestic considerations like prayer time for monks,” he told a press conference today.

On views that Asean non-confrontational approach in handling issues such as the South China Sea dispute would backfire, Najib said such methods had managed to prevent tension from rising.

But, the prime minister stressed that the grouping would remain steadfast in its principles.

In this respect, he said Asean would continue to engage with China in constructive manner and any attempts to destabilise the region would not benefit China.

Najib also said the 26th Asean Summit had shown the desire for a stronger Asean which could move forward in a cohesive manner.-nst