Japan looks forward to reinstatement of Look East Policy
KUALA LUMPUR: Japan is looking forward towards the reinstatement of the Look East Policy by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia, Dr Makio Miyagawa, said the policy was broad, covering not only industrial collaboration but also education, safety and security.
“We are very much looking forward. We are very honoured to have Tun Dr Mahathir visiting Tokyo next week,” he told reporters after meeting the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) Chairman Tun Daim Zainuddin at Ilham Tower here yesterday.
Asked on Dr Mahathir’s agenda in Japan, he said there was no specific item on the table so far.
“I think the two prime ministers will discuss in general terms on the new collaboration. We are very much looking forward to your Prime Minister’s first overseas visit (to Japan since being reelected),” he said.
The Look East Policy was introduced by Dr Mahathir while he was the fourth prime minister back in the 1980s. Following his return to the premiership recently, he called for its re-introduction.
Dr Mahathir will head to Japan on Sunday, where he will also speak at the 24th International Conference on the Future of Asia held on June 11 and 12.
In another development, Tan Sri Abu Talib Othman, who heads the CEP committee investigating 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), said after the investigation was completed, it would submit a report to the Attorney- General’s (AG) Chambers.
“The AG will have to study it. The investigation is ongoing,” he said without disclosing the findings so far. — Bernama