Najib hopes UK royals visit will boost ties with Malaysia
Prince William speaks at an event hosted by the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce in Kuala Lumpur September 14, 2012. — Reuters picKUALA LUMPUR, Sept 14 — Against the backdrop of a royal visit by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Malaysia, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak expressed hope that the deep-rooted relations between Malaysia and Britain will continue to be strong.
“Economically, culturally and politically, our bilateral relationship has stood the test of time. And it has done so precisely because our history and our values are so intricately intertwined.
“Both our countries believe in the power of moderation, the strength of civil liberties, as well as, the need to increase prosperity by building open, outward-facing economies,” Najib said in his article titled “Why the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s Visit to Malaysia Shows the Strength of Anglo-Malaysian Relations”, which was published in the online news portal Huffington Post, today.
The prime minister said: “In this Diamond Jubilee year of Her Majesty the Queen, this is entirely apt. For as well as celebrating her magnificent reign, we should be celebrating the historic ties, both big and small, between our nations.”
Touching on Prince William and Catherine’s visit to Malaysia, Najib said: “the Royal Couple are great ambassadors for the UK and I was delighted to spend time with them over lunch.”
“We discussed the bonds that exist between our countries, because while much has changed in the six decades since the Queen assumed the throne — for a start, Malaya became Malaysia as we gained independence from Britain in 1957 — this relationship, so deep-rooted in history, has remained steadfast,” said Najib.
The royal couple, who arrived here yesterday for a four-day official, have left for a two-day visit to Sabah this evening.
They will be leaving for Solomon Islands on Sunday, to proceed with their tour.
Malaysia is their second destination after Singapore, en route a nine-day tour of the Far East, as representatives to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in conjunction with the celebration to mark the 60-year reign of the Queen. — Bernama
