NAJIB CONGRATULATES OBAMA, U.S. ON INDEPENDENCE DAY

KUALA LUMPUR, July 3 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak
has sent a congratulatory letter to United States President Barack Obama in
conjunction with the country's 234th independence anniversary Sunday.

"On behalf of the government and the people of Malaysia, it is my great
pleasure to extend my heartiest congratulations and best wishes to you and the
government and the people of the United States of America on the occasion of the
234th anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America on July
4," he said in the two-paragraph letter to Obama. The copy of the letter was
released to Bernama.

In the letter, Najib also recalled his first bilateral meeting with Obama in
Washington on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit which had propelled
bilateral relations to a new level.

"I recall with satisfaction the productive discussions we have had during
our bilateral meeting on April 12, 2010 in Washington D.C.

"And I am pleased with the optimism that both you (Obama) and I share on the
future direction of Malaysia-US bilateral relations," he said.

Najib said he also looked forward to continue working closely with Obama in
ensuring that the mutual beneficial relations remained on an upward trajectory
in the years ahead.

-- BERNAMA