Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/malaysia-indonesia-to/1641214.html
The plan to bring all of ASEAN under one common time zone instead of three has been supported in a joint news conference with the leaders of Malaysia and Indonesia.
Map showing different colours for different time zones across Asia. (Image: GraphicMaps.com)
KUALA LUMPUR: The leaders of Indonesia and Malaysia have agreed to pursue a single time zone for countries in the ASEAN region.
Speaking to reporters in Kuala Lumpur, Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said the idea would "enhance the spirit of ASEAN solidarity".
There are currently three different time zones spanning ASEAN – a 90-minute time difference between Myanmar in the west and Singapore and Malaysia in the east.
Indonesia is divided over the three time zones despite previous plans to implement a single zone for the country.
Singapore Foreign Minister K Shanmugam has previously indicated support for the idea, which was also discussed at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Kota Kinabalu on Jan 28.
Supporters say a single time zone would make regional banking more efficient, with coordinated opening times for banks and stock markets.
Speaking to reporters in Kuala Lumpur, Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said the idea would "enhance the spirit of ASEAN solidarity".
There are currently three different time zones spanning ASEAN – a 90-minute time difference between Myanmar in the west and Singapore and Malaysia in the east.
Indonesia is divided over the three time zones despite previous plans to implement a single zone for the country.
Singapore Foreign Minister K Shanmugam has previously indicated support for the idea, which was also discussed at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Kota Kinabalu on Jan 28.
Supporters say a single time zone would make regional banking more efficient, with coordinated opening times for banks and stock markets.
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