KUALA LUMPUR: Australian Senator Dean Smith congratulated Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on his appointment as Malaysia’s seventh Prime Minister via a video from Canberra, Australia.
“A little off topic but can I just start of this afternoon by congratulating Dr Mahathir on his magnificent victory in Malaysia. Dr Mahathir will become the world’s oldest leader at 92-year-old.
“I think he will bring great wisdom, great experience to the role in Malaysia and anyone who’s interested in the politics of Malaysia and perhaps the recent politics of Malaysia without dwelling on it too much can’t but be impress by the victory,” he said in a one-minute and 18-second video.
Smith said he had the pleasure of meeting Dr Mahathir and his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali at their home in January 2017.
“I was just greatly honoured to hear his vision for Malaysia but importantly also his vision for the Asian region.
“Let me make one last point and that is, that Dr Mahathir has given a pledge to uphold the rule of law and importantly to prosecute those who have breached it.
“I think it’s an ominous sign for some who have engaged in less than decent practices across Malaysia,” he said.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of State congratulated Malaysians on their participation in a hard-fought election campaign.
In a statement, its spokesman Heather Nauert said Malaysians had engaged in the electoral process in large numbers with great enthusiasm.
“We congratulate the people of Malaysia on their participation in a hard-fought election campaign.
“Malaysians from all parties, states, and backgrounds engaged the electoral process in large numbers peacefully and with great enthusiasm.
“We fully expect all institutions will carry out their functions and duties to produce and implement official results in accordance with the federal constitution and the will of the people,” she said.
At 4.40am on May 10, the Election Commission chairman Tan Sri Hashim Abdullah at announced Pakatan Harapan claimed victory in the 14th General Election (GE14) by winning 121 out of the 222 parliamentary seats.