KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said Malaysia’s partnership with the United States will not be affected by Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election.
Despite the unexpected turn of events, he said the new US president needs to maintain good ties with Malaysia and other nations.
“I believe that he will find the right approach that can help the US build a (strong) cooperation with other countries," he said after closing the Daya E-Usahawan conference here today.
Najib said he personally knew Trump and therefore, the president-elect was no stranger to him.
"Not many people expected this (Trump's victory). The US voters want a president who can develop the economy and create high-paying jobs," he said.
Najib said such issues were critical among US voters and Trump was consistent in his campaign in make his country great again with a stronger economy and better job opportunities.
He said the US voters also wanted to give an opportunity to an unconventional candidate like Trump, who is a successful entrepreneur and billionaire.
"He is not someone with experience in politics," he said.
Trump, the Republican candidate, defeated his Democrat rival Hilary Clinton in a tight race to secure the US presidency.
Trump, 70, is a real estate developer-turned-reality television star with no experience in public office.