Historic Obama Visit To Elevate M'sia's-US Ties To Comprehensive Partnership - Foreign Minister

PUTRAJAYA, April 25 (Bernama) -- The historic visit by President Barack Obama will herald the elevation of Malaysia-United States bilateral relations to a comprehensive partnership, said Foreign Minister Anifah Aman. He described it as a timely opportunity for both sides to reflect on the progress in bilateral ties and chart a way for the future at a time when Kuala Lumpur-Washington relations were at a zenith. "The visit will set the path for our relationship in the years to come. It's an important milestone in our bilateral relations," he told a media briefing here Friday ahead of Obama's arrival in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur Saturday. Obama's three-day visit to Malaysia is a first by a sitting US president in 48 years since President Lyndon B. Johnson's trip back in 1966. It is part of Obama's four-nation Asian tour that also encompasses Japan, South Korea and the Philippines. Anifah noted the good rapport between Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and the 44th US president. "This will ensure that bilateral discussions on the economy, security and people-to-people relations are open, constructive and productive as we look at ways to elevate our bilateral ties to a comprehensive partnership," he said. At the packed media briefing, Anifah said the presidential visit came at a period when Malaysia was ascending to prominent leadership positions on the international stage. Anifah mentioned that 2015 would see Malaysia taking over the chairmanship of Asean at what he described as a pivotal point in the 10-nation group's history, when the Asean Economic Community was announced. Malaysia, he said, was also vying for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council for the fourth time in the country's young history. "Therefore we view the visit as American recognition of Malaysia's rising international influence, and we're ready to strengthen our engagement with the US as we grow into our role as one of the region's 'middle powers'," he said. Anifah said that from his interactions with leaders and foreign ministers on the international stage, the feedback he received in regard to Malaysia's candidacy was positive. "We'll take the opportunity to highlight our bid during President Obama's visit," he said in response to a question on this matter. The visit would be an opportunity for Malaysia to profile its home-grown Global Movement of Moderates to the US, Anifah said, referring to the initiative which promotes moderation as an approach towards global peace and justice. In this regard, Malaysia would share its experience and the role it played in promoting the moderation approach in the southern Philippines peace process, culminating in the signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro on March 27. Anifah said on Saturday Obama would be accorded a state welcoming ceremony and have an audience with the King Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, followed by a state banquet at Istana Negara. He is scheduled on Sunday to have bilateral delegation meeting with Najib in Putrajaya and both leaders will attend the launch of the Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre (MaGIC) in Cyberjaya. A joint statement is expected to be issued announcing the direction of bilateral relations and emphasising areas of cooperation to be further strengthened. President Obama will also attend a town hall session with youth leaders from across Southeast Asia at Universiti Malaya. Anifah noted that since President Johnson's visit in the 60's, Malaysia-US relations had undergone a transformation from the economic and diplomatic perspective. With Najib and Obama at the helm of their respective administrations, he said both countries had experienced many positive developments, such as increasing exchanges of high-level visits and stronger military-to-military ties. He said there were also continued major investments by American firms in Malaysia, contributing to positive bilateral economic ties. Ties were also marked by strengthening of cooperation in science and technology, security as well as education through formal agreements, he added. Obama is scheduled to leave Malaysia for the Philippines on Monday. -- BERNAMA