Sunday April 12, 2009
Frustrating trip for Najib as mayhem forces summit to end early
By MERGAWATI ZULFAKAR
PATTAYA: Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak left for home yesterday after his first international duty as Prime Minister ended abruptly, saying it was an unexpected ending to the East Asian Summit.
“My day has been very frustrating. I was looking forward to meeting the leaders but unfortunately (the summit) could not take place,” said Najib who described the situation in Thailand as mayhem.
Meeting the host: Najib being greeted by Abhisit during their meeting yesterday just hours before protests forced an early end to the East Asian Summit in Pattaya. — Bernama “We were unsure of what was happening next. We were told to wait in our rooms and I just managed to have a meeting with Abhisit (Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva),” he told Malaysian journalists.
Najib said Abhisit had at about noon informed the leaders that the Thai government had decided to postpone the meeting indefinitely.
“We understand his situation. It was unexpected. In this kind of situation, it is better for the safety of the leaders that the summit be postponed.”
Asked whether he had seen the protest from his hotel room on the fifth floor, Najib said he was unable to do so.
“I was told they managed to get into the lobby and there was a high degree of mayhem below.
“My security boys told me not to go down, although I was quite keen on doing so,” he revealed.
On whether he would attend the summit to be held later in Thailand, Najib said the Thai government should be given a chance to host the meeting.
“The risk (of coming back) is the same for all of us, not just for me. I am sure for the next summit, they will take into account the experience this time.
“This is a domestic problem and it did not affect the spirit of Asean. Our cooperation is still strong and our partners are still interested in working with us,” he added.
Related Story:
Crimson tide of madness sweeps through Pattaya
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