(From left) Anwar, Mohamad, Yoko and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during an exchange of notes of the Official Security Assistance Grant Aid between Malaysia and Japan on Dec 17, 2023. – Bernama
TOKYO: Mohamad Hasan is currently on a working trip to Japan, but the newly appointed Foreign Minister has yet to step foot into his new office in Putrajaya.
Mohamad is currently part of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's official delegation on a working visit to Japan.
This significant transition occurred following Mohamad's recent appointment as Foreign Minister, a role he took on after a Cabinet reshuffle was announced just two days before his trip to Tokyo. He succeeded Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, who was appointed as the Higher Education Minister.
When questioned about his new role during the Malaysian diaspora high-tea event in Tokyo on Monday (Dec 18), Mohamad humorously remarked, "I've yet to set foot in my new office in Putrajaya, but I am here now as the Foreign Minister."
Due to the short notice of his appointment and trip, Mohamad did not have the opportunity to meet with foreign ministry officials or make preparations beforehand.
However, while in Japan he managed to allocate time from his packed agenda, which included a meeting with captains of industry alongside the Prime Minister, to promptly attend a meeting at the Foreign Ministry with his Japanese counterpart, Yoko Kamikawa.
When asked about his meeting with Yoko, he responded, "No problem, I had met Yoko before when I was the Defence Minister."
During the visit, the Awean-Japan Commemorative Summit and Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Leaders Meeting offered an excellent platform for Mohamad to become acquainted with his counterparts from Asean countries.
Mohamad's assignment in Japan is undoubtedly one that he will remember for a long time. – Bernama
