DR M TO SHOWCASE NEW MALAYSIA
PM to share Malaysia’s policy recommendations, ideas on future direction of Apec
TUN Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s attendance at the 26th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) will allow him to showcase Malaysia as a mature democracy that upholds the primacy of the rule of law.
The Foreign Ministry said the prime minister would outline Malaysia’s commitments and position in working with other economies in the Asia-Pacific region towards achieving the objectives of the 2020 Bogor Goals and beyond.
It said Dr Mahathir would underscore Malaysia’s expectations of Apec to build an Asia-Pacific community towards achieving economic growth and equitable development through trade and economic cooperation.
“The highlight of the 26th AELM would be the Leaders’ Retreat, during which Dr Mahathir will be sharing Malaysia’s ideas and insights as well as policy recommendations on the future direction of Apec,” said Wisma Putra in a statement yesterday.
Dr Mahathir is scheduled to deliver his remarks at the Apec CEO Summit entitled “The Future of Economic Growth”.
“The prime minister, together with other Apec Leaders, will participate in the dialogues with the Apec Business Advisory Council (ABAC) and Apec Leaders’ Dialogue with Pacific Island Leaders.
“Dr Mahathir is scheduled to have bilateral meetings with the prime ministers of Papua New Guinea and Canada; the Hong Kong chief executive; and members of the United States-Business Coalition to discuss matters of mutual interest with the objective of enhancing bilateral collaboration on pertinent regional and global issues,” it added.
Dr Mahathir is leading the Malaysian delegation to the 26th AELM in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, today and tomorrow. This will be his first appearance at Apec as the seventh prime minister of Malaysia, representing a new government with fresh mandates and aspirations.
The last AELM he attended was in 2003 in Bangkok, Thailand, when he was the fourth prime minister.
The prime minister will be accompanied by his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah and International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Darell Leiking.
In Port Moresby, Saifuddin shared some moments that enhanced Dr Mahathir’s stature.
Saifuddin said during the Asean Summit in Singapore this week, a few ministers sought bilateral meetings with Malaysia solely because they wanted to meet the veteran statesman.
“Normally, people will share a list of things for bilateral meetings. There were one or two bilaterals during the Asean Summit where they (the foreign ministers) just wanted to meet Tun,” Saifuddin said at a press conference here yesterday.
He said Dr Mahathir led by example with his ability to highlight key issues and respond to hard questions from international audience.