PUTRAJAYA，May 17: The Government has made it clear that Malaysia will elevate its role in international affairs particularly with its Asean neighbours as well as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the international community as a whole, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Speaking at the Foreign Ministry’s Hari Raya event, he said to achieve this, the country needed competent core professionals at the Foreign Ministry.
He commended the ministry’s officials, saying they had proven their credentials in serving the nation and promoting Malaysia’s policies and Madani ideas at the international level.
Anwar said whatever successes he had achieved in the last six months serving the country and visiting several countries was mainly due to the indefatigable commitment shown by ministry officials.
“You make me proud of the way you work, you solved, you prepared notes – sometimes too much for me to bear – but the very tedious job, comprehensive reports and the level of competence is remarkable.
“I’ve visited China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines; Turkiye during the earthquake and I’m proud to be associated with the officials of the Foreign Ministry and embassies,” he said.
Since he was appointed Prime Minister in November last year, Anwar has made 10 international trips to nine countries beginning with Indonesia (Jan 8-9), Brunei (Jan 24-25), Singapore (Jan 30), Thailand (Feb 9-10), Turkiye (Feb 14-15), the Philippines (March 1-2), Saudi Arabia (March 22-24), Cambodia (March 27), China (March 29 to April 1) and again to Indonesia (May 10) for the 42nd Asean Summit.
Also present at the event were Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and heads of diplomatic missions to Malaysia. – Bernama
