Obama Hopes M'sia Will Play Productive Role Towards World Prosperity

By Ahmad Fuad Yahya NUSA DUA (BALI), Nov 18 (Bernama) -- United States (US) President Barack Obama has expressed hope that Malaysia can play a productive role towards world stability and prosperity. This was conveyed by Obama to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak during their bilateral meeting in conjunction with the East Asia Summit, which is scheduled to begin here Saturday. "Obama sees Malaysia as a very influential nation in the region and among Muslim countries. "He hopes that Malaysia will play a productive role and offer help and solutions to conflicts towards achieving world stability and prosperity," Najib told the Malaysian press here Friday. The prime minister said Obama had also expressed his appreciation to Malaysia for strengthening its bilateral ties with the US, besides lauding the role played by Malaysia in the context of a progressive Islamic country. "He also lauded our efforts in tackling certain issues, such as the non- proliferation issue, where we have played a very positive role," he said. Najib said the US president had also asked Malaysia to consider joining the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) proposed by the US. "We are studying the initiative, but I have informed President Obama that although we haven't or might not join the PSI, Malaysia will never allow the country to be use as a transit point for the trade of materials for weapons of mass destruction, including whatever materials that can be used to produce a nuclear weapon," he said. The prime minister said with the enforcement of the Strategic Trade Act, Malaysia would have the power to take enforcement action against any quarters, including vessels and aircraft used to transport materials that violated the United Nations conventions. Najib said the meeting had also touched on Malaysia's role in Afghanistan as a Malaysian medical team was deployed to offer help and assistance in the conflict-torn country. "I have informed President Obama that Malaysia is also prepared to provide training for Afghanistan, especially their police personnel, if necessary," he said. The prime minister said he had also discussed with Obama the issue of Palestine, which is far from being resolved. "I have stressed the importance of the issue to President Obama, especially after he personally mentioned about it in his speech in Cairo during his early days as the US President. Many quarters, especially the Islamic countries, are waiting for a reform in the US's relationship with the Islamic world," he said. On the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), Najib said Malaysia reiterated its intention to join the TPP after TPP leaders agreed to a completion of a broad outline agreement proposed for July next year. "With this, a wide-ranging FTA (Free Trade Agreement) will materialise to further enhance trade and investment activities in the Asia-Pacific region," he said. On the issue of maritime security with regard to Asean, the US government has made it clear that it should be resolved through a peaceful resolution based on international laws, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). During the meeting, the prime minister also thanked Obama for the deployment of 50 English teachers from the US to Malaysia next January. The deployment of the teachers to schools in the east coast states of Pahang and Terengganu and the southern state of Johor is being made via a scheme mooted by Najib under the Malaysia-American Commission on Educatioal Exchange. "I hope that the number of teachers will be increased in the future," he said. -- BERNAMA