Najib: We have influence on US and other powerhouses

PARLIAMENT | Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak today spoke about the influence Malaysia has on the United States and other world powerhouses.

He told the Dewan Rakyat how he was able to persuade US President Donald Trump to include the oppression and cleansing of ethnic Rohingya in Myanmar into their discussion, although it was not on their initial agenda.

"I want to inform this House that the Rohingya issue was not stated in our initial communication, but I requested President Trump to agree to discuss, and the White House (subsequently) included the issue (on the agenda)," Najib said during a question-and-answer session this morning.

"This is among the successes of Malaysia where the country has an influence on the international platform and powerhouses."

Najib said the special treatment given by Trump in their meeting last month was a manifestation of the friendship between Malaysia and US.

"Despite not staying at the Blair House (official accommodation for visiting foreign guests of the US government), I was invited to play golf with President Trump and he sent me to the car," he added.

Unlike his predecessor Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Najib said, he did not need to fork out money to meet Trump.

"My predecessor had done that (paid money) to secure an invite to meet (former US president George W Bush)," he added.

[More to follow]

- Mkini