Rizany Irwan Muhammad Mazlan
MANILA: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s three-day visit to the Philippines beginning tomorrow is a manifestation of Malaysia’s seriousness in efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
Charge d’Affaires of the Malaysian Embassy in the Philippines Rizany Irwan Muhammad Mazlan said the visit would allow Tun Dr Mahathir and his Philippine counterpart Rodrigo Duterte to discuss matters which are of common interests to both countries.
He said this included trade, economic and investment links in both countries, especially following positive development of the peace process in Mindanao, southern Philippines after the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law which was important not only for the stability of the Philippines but also for regional countries.
The visit themed ‘Partners For Progress, Brothers For Peace’ would also enable Malaysia to share the government’s latest policies and the country’s stand, particularly on issues of common benefit.
“The visit demonstrates Malaysia’s seriousness to further strengthen cooperation with the Philippines as well as to maintain the existing good relationship.
“We can see that there is a synergy between Tun Dr Mahathir and the Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte. I think Tun Dr Mahathir and President Duterte have a good relationship and we should be able to use this opportunity to ensure that our relationship as a strategic partner of the Philippines would be raised to a higher and more meaningful level,” he told Malaysian journalists here today.
Tun Dr Mahathir who will be with his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali for his official visit to the Philippines will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah and International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Darell Leiking.
This visit is Tun Dr Mahathir’s first visit to the Philippines since his appointment as prime minister on May 10.
Tun Dr Mahathir will be given the highest honour to lay a wreath at the Rizal Monument in Manila (The Rizal Park).
Shortly after that, Tun Dr Mahathir will be greeted by his counterpart President Rodrigo Duterte in a state banquet at the Malacanang Palace before the two leaders meet to discuss on bilateral ties
In addition to the official meetings, Tun Dr Mahathir is also scheduled to meet with Philippine business and industry leaders in the Malaysia-Philippines Business Forum to interact and exchange views on efforts to further develop trade and investment relations between the two countries.
The Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet Mindanao Development Authority Chairman Datu Abul Khayr Alonto to discuss Mindanao development issues.
Before leaving for the capital city, Tun Dr Mahathir is also scheduled to meet the Malaysian diaspora in Manila.
Malaysia’s trade value with the Philippines for 2018 increased by 8.7 per cent to RM26.1 billion, as compared to RM25.5 billion in 2017.
Malaysia’s exports to the Philippines in 2018 amounted to RM16.92 billion while imports from the Philippines in 2017 were RM9.19 billion in 2017. – Bernama