US visit a success, says PM

WASHINGTON DC: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (pic) has described his four-day working visit to the United States as a success.

He said the visit has further strengthened ties between Malaysia and the United States as well as that of Asean-US relations.

“The United States is important to Malaysia from the aspect of politics and trade,” he told Malaysian media here on the final day of the visit which began on Tuesday (Wednesday in Malaysia).

The United States is the second largest trading partner and fourth largest in terms of investment in Malaysia, he said.

He said the meeting with the US leaders and captain of industries has further enhanced these ties, indicating that there are bigger potential investments ahead for Malaysia.

“Many have expressed interest. Some pledged to expand investment while some are keen to start new investments,” he said.

During the working visit, Ismail Sabri attended the Asean-US Special Summit and met US President Joe Biden, Vice-President Kamala Harris and other Asean leaders at the summit here.

President Biden hosted a dinner in honour of the Asean leaders at the White House on Thursday. Ismail Sabri also attended a Hari Raya gathering at a hotel here on Wednesday (Thursday in Malaysia).

He said he spoke in English when meeting American investors and businessmen.

“I spoke in the national language at the three sessions of the special summit.

“Six Asean leaders also spoke in their respective national languages at the summit except Brunei, the Philippines and Singapore. Singapore’s national language is English,” he noted.

The six Asean leaders who spoke in their national language are from Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia.

Myanmar was not invited to the special summit. — Bernama