Malaysian foreign minister Saifuddin plans Angkor visit

PHNOM PENH (The Phnom Penh Post/Asia News Network): Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs Saifuddin Abdullah (pic) plans to explore the conservation and sustainable development efforts undertaken at Angkor Wat during his visit to the Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting scheduled on Jan 18-19 in Siem Reap province and hosted by Cambodia, according to the Apsara National Authority (ANA).

“The management of Angkor by ANA has been highly recognised and well-known, which makes other countries, including Malaysia, want to explore and learn,” the ANA said in a press statement on Jan 5.

Malaysian ambassador to Cambodia Eldeen Husaini Mohd Hashim said Saifuddin planned to visit some sites undergoing preservation work at Angkor Wat during his official visit to Siem Reap.

ANA spokesman Long Kosal confirmed that the ANA is looking forward to welcoming the Malaysian dignitaries and showing them the ancient temples as well as discussing the work being done to protect them.

Kosal told The Post on Jan 5 that Saifuddin was interested in the ANA’s conservation and sustainable development work because he sees how much the ANA has accomplished and his government is interested in exploring increased links and international cooperation in those fields.

“He’s coming here to learn about our temple renovation and preservation work and to look for ways to build cooperation between our countries in those areas and in related fields like tourism,” he said.