MARCOS CONGRATULATES ‘GOOD FRIEND’ IBRAHIM

PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Friday congratulated his “good friend” Anwar Ibrahim for becoming Malaysia’s 10th prime minister.

The President relayed his congratulatory message in a phone call with Ibrahim, saying he looked forward to working together in tackling “various challenges” in the Southeast Asian region.

“I just wanted to be — to immediately — to be one of the first to congratulate you because I’m very happy to hear the news. I was very happy to hear the news and I wanted to congratulate you immediately myself,” he told Ibrahim.

“I am sure this will make Malaysia and the Philippines even closer because we will be in touch with one another,” he said.

Ibrahim pledged Malaysia’s commitment to strengthen ties with the Philippines in different areas such as trade and investment.

“As founding fathers of Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), our two nations have always enjoyed strong cooperation in bilateral, regional and multilateral forums,” he said.

In response, the President pointed out that a strong relationship between the Philippines and Malaysia is imperative “because of all the problems that the two nations are facing.”

“We have to really work together, otherwise, we will not be able to get over this crisis of inflation, of the agricultural commodities, all of that. I saw your statement that the economy will be your first priority. And I found myself in the same position. So, we can — I think we can help each other with Malaysia and the Philippines,” Marcos said.

Last Thursday, Malaysia’s Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah appointed the reformist opposition leader. Ibrahim was also sworn into office on the same day.

“After taking into consideration the views of Their Royal Highnesses the Malay Rulers, His Majesty has given consent to appoint Anwar Ibrahim as the 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia,” part of the statement released by Malaysia’s Royal Palace read.

A former political prisoner and protégé of Mahathir Mohamad, the 75-year-old Ibrahim vowed to fight corruption, reboot the economy, and keep Islam as his country’s official religion.