Rody to meet with Malaysian PM’s deputy minister

Ahead of his visit to Malaysia, President Duterte on Saturday said he would meet with a deputy of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak in Davao City.

Duterte did not name the Malaysian official but said that he was expected to arrive at the President’s home city of Davao yesterday afternoon.

“Hindi na ako magtagal because the deputy minister of, the assistant of Najib is in Davao,” the President told the audience at the Kabunsuan Cultural Complex in Cotabato City where he graced the launching of the Comprehensive Reform and Development Agenda for ARMM and other conflict affected areas in Regions 9, 10, and 12.

Duterte did not mention the agenda of the meeting, but stressed that Malaysia is a very important ally.

On Thursday, arriving from his trip to Japan, the President announced that he would visit Malaysia next to discuss maritime security, particularly the issue of piracy.

“I am going there to complete the tour because those are the only countries that would really matter to me,” Duterte said during a press conference at the Davao International Airport.

So far, the President had visited Laos, Indonesia, Vietnam, Brunei, China, and Japan.

“Malaysia because we have the Strait of Malacca, we have this piracy going on every now and then. It puts to shame everybody... It’s high time that I talk to Prime Minister Najib (Razak). We have to do something about it,” Duterte said.

The Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia share maritime borders hit by a spate of attacks particularly by members of the dreaded Abu Sayyaf Group .