ANWAR SATISFIED WITH DISCUSSIONS THAT COVERED SEVERAL ISSUES DURING VISIT TO CAMBODIA

From SALAWATY SUPARDI

PHNOM PENH, March 27 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was satisfied with his one-day official visit to Cambodia since he had the opportunity to discuss various bilateral issues, regional issues as well as global issues with his counterpart Hun Sen.

Speaking to the Malaysian media at the end of his visit, Anwar said he highly appreciated and valued the invitation from his counterpart which will certainly enhance the existing strong bilateral relationship and diplomatic relations that has existed for 66 years.

"During the bilateral meeting, Hun Sen invited Malaysia to use his country’s products made of bamboo while I also had the opportunity to break fast with about 6,000 people. The break of fast was hosted by Hun Sen. I was also able to meet Malaysian colleagues at the Malaysian Embassy here,” he said.

Anwar added that discussions at the ASEAN level would be a more suitable platform to discuss the pressing issues of tension in Myanmar that was raised by Hun Sen.

This is because the Myanmar issue is an internal political issue and ASEAN will be the best platform to discuss the issue as a team.

Anwar arrived in Cambodia today to further strengthen the bilateral relationship between both countries that has existed since 1957.

Upon arrival, the Prime Minister was taken to the Peace Palace here which happens to be the Cambodian Prime Minister’s office where Anwar, accompanied by Hun Sen, was greeted by a guard of honour with the Negaraku being played.

Soon after, both leaders held their bilateral meeting which covered several regional and global issues. The meeting was followed by a media conference to announce details of the meeting, before a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between both countries.

The MoU signed between both governments encompassed the Recruitment, Employment and Repatriation of Cambodian workers in the domestic sector as well as Recruitment, Employment and Repatriation of Cambodian workers in the Domestic sector and Recruitment, Employment and Repatriation of Cambodian workers in the formal sector.   

The signing of the MoU is expected to further strengthen cooperation between both countries in the labour sector.

Anwar also had an audience with the King of Cambodia, Norodom Sihamoni at the Royal Palace of Cambodia and later met the President of the Cambodian Senate Say Chhum and President of the National Assembly, Heng Samrin.

The Prime Minister performed the Tarawih prayers at the Al-Serkal Mosque in Phnom Penh before leaving to Kuala Lumpur.

-- BERNAMA