M’sia’s anti-terror efforts lauded
> US president commends Najib on role in fight against terror groups
WASHINGTON DC: US President Donald Trump has commended Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak over his role in the fight against terrorism.
He said Najib had taken measures to ensure terror groups had no place in society.
“The prime minister has (played) a major role in not allowing Islamic State and others to exist. He has been very, very strong against terrorism in Malaysia and a great supporter from that stand point.
“So that’s a very important thing to the United States,” Trump said during Najib’s visit to the White House on Tuesday.
Trump earlier welcomed Najib on his arrival at the White House for talks, the highlight of his Sept 11-13 working visit to Washington DC, at Trump’s invitation.
Apart from a one-on-one meeting at the Oval Office, both leaders also held an expanded meeting between US and Malaysian delegations comprising Cabinet members and senior government officials from both sides, Bernama reported.
During the delegation meeting, Trump expressed gratitude to Najib over Malaysian investments in the US.
At the meeting, Najib said the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and Khazanah Nasional Bhd plan to expand their investments in the US.
EPF is expected to invest between US$3 billion and US$4 billion (US$1 = RM4.19).
“We come here with a strong value proposition to put on the table. We want to help you in strengthening the US economy,” Najib said at the delegation meeting.
He said Malaysia intends to increase the number of Boeing planes purchased by Malaysia Airlines Bhd.
“We are committed to 25 units of 737- MAX 10 planes, eight 787 Dreamliners and there is strong probability we will add 24 (or) 25 more 737-MAX 10 planes. Within five years, the deal will be beyond US$10 billion.”
Najib said the government would also try to persuade low-cost carrier, AirAsia Bhd, to purchase US-made General Electric engines.
“We (also) have EPF, a major pension fund in Malaysia.
“They have a big sum of capital to be exported, they have invested close to US$7 billion in terms of equity in the US and intend to invest an additional US$3 billion to US$4 billion to support your infrastructure redevelopment.”
Najib said Khazanah Nasional also intends to increase its investments in the US.