Manila is very special to me, says Anwar at end of two-day official visit

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who concluded his two-day official visit to the Philippines Thursday (March 2), described the country's capital, Manila, as very special to him.

Anwar, in a Facebook post Thursday, said this visit brought back memories of when he often visited the city while studying.

"Manila is very special and is not a foreign city to me personally,” said the Prime Minister.

Anwar said he often visited Manila when he was a student, and the University of the Philippines (UP) was a must-visit for him.

The visit to UP was to discuss various matters with friends in Manila, he said.

Earlier Thursday, Anwar was conferred the Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, by the UP, in a ceremony held at the university’s Villamor Hall, here.

According to a statement issued by the university, Anwar was awarded the honorary doctorate for being a scholar and an internationally-acclaimed expert on economics, democracy, freedom, governance, Islam and democracy, and the need for accountability.

He was conferred the degree by the Chairperson of the Commission of Higher Education, J. Prospero E. De Vera III, and UP President and Co-Chair of the UP Board of Regents, Angelo A. Jimenez.

Anwar arrived in the Philippines on Wednesday (March 1) for a two-day official visit, the fifth Asean country he has visited since being appointed as Malaysia’s 10th Prime Minister in November last year. - Bernama