Malaysia hopes to boost ties with US through high-level visits

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WASHINGTON: After more than four decades, Malaysia is hoping to host a United States presidential visit soon.

Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Tan Sri Bernard Dompok said he was optimistic that both countries could have a new beginning.

“I am confident that with Presi-dent Barack Obama and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak at the helm of our two nations, we can do much and build on the strong foundations which have been set by our past leaders,” he said in his keynote address at the Malaysia-US Strategic Partnership Conference at the American University’s School of International Service here on Friday.

“What is important is that we look to the future with greater confidence.

“We need to work collectively to overcome the benign neglect in our bilateral ties by stepping up high level exchanges and visits.

“Hopefully, Malaysia can soon get to host a US presidential visit.

“Both leaders believe in the value of dialogue and the power of change. They are leaders who have come to the fore at the right time of our national histories.”

Malaysian Ambassador to the United States, Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Jarjis said Obama had agreed to receive Najib in Washing-ton and a suitable date was now being worked out in view of their busy schedules.

“We are waiting for a window of opportunity for the Prime Minister to come to town and for Obama to visit Malaysia.”

He added that Najib’s visit could take place either end of this year or early next year.

Dr Jamaludin also spoke on plans to revitalise the Malaysia Trade, Security, and Economic Cooperation Caucus which he started during Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s administration. The US was then under the Republican rule.

He added that he met two key congressmen, Pete Sessions from Texas and Gregory Meeks from New York over the last two days, and they had agreed to re-look at the caucus in view of changes in both governments and their policies.

Asian Leadership and Strategy Institute chief executive director Datuk Dr Michael Yeoh said he believed the United States and Malaysia had common objectives and mutual interest in strengthening multilateral organisations like the United Nations, Apec, Asean and the East Asia Summit.