MANILA: US President Donald Trump praised Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak for Malaysia’s role as country coordinator for ASEAN-US dialogue relations.
Trump, in his opening remarks at the 5th Asean US Summit today, said Najib had done an excellent job for carrying out the task in coordinating the relations between Asean countries and US, for the period of 2015-2018.
"I want to thank Prime Minister Najib for the excellent job you have done as coordinator. I appreciate it very much … I really appreciate it, you did coordinate very well with us," he said.
This year is the 40th anniversary of Asean-US dialogue relations and today, the prime minister presented a report on the progress made throughout the years and future direction between Asean countries and US.
Earlier in the morning, Najib and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor attended the opening ceremony of the two-day 31st Asean Summit and Related Summits by the Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who chairs this year's Summit, at the Cultural Centre of the Philippines in Pasay City, here.
Najib later led Malaysian delegation, which include Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman and International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, at the Summit and Related Summits.
Meanwhile, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, in his opening remark at the Summit, urged leaders to strengthen their fight against terrorism, piracy and armed robbery in the seas, and illegal drugs that threaten peace and stability in the region.
He also thanked Asean member countries and dialogue partners for providing assistance to his government in liberating Marawi City from terrorist groups who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.
He added that they were now helping the people get back on their feet and resume their lives.
Duterte also said that the menace of illegal drug trade continued to endanger societies.
Yesterday, hours after arriving here, the prime minister held a 30-minute bilateral meeting with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe.
Tomorrow, the prime minister is scheduled to attend six Related Summits, followed by the closing and handing over chairmanship to Singapore ceremonies before flying home.