‘TESTAMENT TO STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP’
Trump’s invitation shows Malaysia’s importance to US, says envoy
THE fact that President Donald Trump invited Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to a meeting at the White House reflects Malaysia’s importance to the global superpower. Malaysia’s ambassador to the US also says the one-on-one meeting tomorrow morning (Washington, D.C. time) will cover a broad range of issues, including the plight of the Rohingya, the North Korean crisis and the South China Sea dispute.
DATUK Seri Najib Razak’s three-day visit to the United States from today on the invitation of President Donald Trump is testimony to Malaysia’s standing as a strategic partner for the US.
Malaysia’s Ambassador to the US Tan Sri Zulhasnan Rafique said Trump’s invitation to Najib in his first year as president was a recognition by the world’s leading superpower.
“The timing of the visit is especially significant as it marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and the US.
“We are pleased that our prime minister is invited to the White House within the first year of the new presidency.
“This reflects the importance accorded by the US to one of its key strategic partners in the region.”
The visit, he said, also illustrated the significance that Malaysia attached to its relations with the US.
It also demonstrated Malaysia’s commitment to foster closer cooperation in various bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest and concerns.
The highlight of Najib’s visit is his one-on-one meeting with Trump at the White House tomorrow.
Other than enhancing bilateral ties in areas such as counterterrorism, economy, security, defence, education, immigration, science and technology and people-to-people relations, Najib is expected to also discuss issues related to the Rohingya Muslims, North Korea and South China Sea.
Zulhasnan said Najib was also expected to share the country’s transformation programmes based on the Transformasi Nasional 2050 (TN50) plan.
“It is an opportune time to discuss TN50 and its effects on Malaysia-US relations.
“The US is also interested in issues in Asia.
“As such, the invitation by Trump is a golden opportunity for our prime minister to raise issues for Malaysia’s benefit.”
In dismissing negative claims by internal and external parties, Zulhasnan said Najib’s visit should be viewed positively, specifically in terms of strengthening Malaysia-US strategic alliances.
He said the negative media reports in the US questioning Najib’s visit was “a normal thing” in the US in line with its freedom of speech policy.
“We should look at it (the invitation and benefits) positively for our country.”
The last time Malaysia was granted a White House visit was in 2004 under former premier (Tun) Abdullah (Ahmad) Badawi.
This will be Najib’s first White House visit, making him the second Southeast Asian leader to visit the Trump White House, after Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.
Accompanying Najib are his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa and National Security Council director-general General (Rtd) Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin.