KUALA LUMPUR: Congratulatory messages poured in for the newly appointed Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Malaysia’s recently concluded 14th General Election (GE14).
Leaders from across the globe had conveyed their well wishes, either through their official websites or representatives here.
“Congratulations to 92-year old Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on his appointment as the
seventh prime minister of Malaysia, and the first victory by a coalition of opposition parties since Malaysia gained independence in 1957,” said the Canadian government in a statement posted on its website.
“We salute the people of Malaysia for their peaceful participation in the GE14, as well as for the peaceful transition of power.
“Canada looks forward to continued bilateral partnership with Malaysia and to strengthening our regional collaboration, including through multilateral forum like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.”
United States President Donald Trump’s congratulatory message to Dr Mahathir was posted on the US Embassy KL’s facebook page.
“The president also congratulates all Malaysians on their participation in a competitive and peaceful election campaign,” said the statement from the White House.
Trump’s message also said the US-Malaysia relationship was rooted in longstanding and strong people-to-people ties, shared democratic values and commercial relations.
Also on the British High Commission Kuala Lumpur Facebook, it said Malaysians had exercised their democratic rights and looked forward to working with Dr Mahathir and the new government.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry extended its congratulations to Dr Mahathir and “the peaceful and successful election”, voicing hope that Iran and Malaysia would further expand their bilateral relations in all areas during Mahathir’s term in office.
In a statement issued on Friday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi noted the active participation of the younger generation in the voting process, reflecting the vitality and political maturity of the Malaysian society.
The Taiwan also congratulated Malaysia on Friday.
“In Malaysia’s latest general election, its citizens have displayed a high degree of democracy and successfully achieved the first shift of power, which saw the Pakatan Harapan alliance, led by Dr Mahathir, to win the majority in parliament,” it said in a statement.
It also expressed its hope to continue bilateral cooperation with Malaysia under Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy.
The European Union (EU) said it looked forward to working with the new government in strengthening Malaysia and EU relations for the benefit of both sides.
An EU spokesman in a statement yesterday said it also expected Malaysia’s GE14 result
on Wednesday to be respected, beginning with a smooth and orderly transfer of power, in
line with the Malaysian Constitution.
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, in a joint statement, said Australia and Malaysia had a wide and deep contemporary relationship, with diverse potential and backed up by the same interests and values.
Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang said he was committed to maintaining good relations with Malaysia and was looking forward to cooperation from Dr Mahathir to further advance China-Malaysia’s comprehensive strategic partnership.
“Dr Mahathir is an experienced politician who has made significant contributions to the development of Malaysia and Asean, China-Malaysia relations and East Asia cooperation.”
Japanese Ambassador Makio Miyagawa, while extending his heartiest congratulations to Dr Mahathir, said Japan and Malaysia had enjoyed strong ties in many aspects due to Dr Mahathir’s Look East Policy.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had tweeted his congratulatory message, saying he looked forward to working closely Dr Mahathir.
Malacanang Palace and Philippines presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Dr Mahathir was an old friend of the Philippines, describing Malaysia as “a brother nation and dependable partner of the Philippines, for having played a constructive role towards the attainment of peace and stability in Mindanao”.
From Qatar, Emir Sheikh Tamim Hamad al-Thani had called Dr Mahathir to congratulate him personally.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc also conveyed his congratulations to Dr Mahathir.
Reports by Suzanna Pillay, Siti Salmiah A Hamid and Ahmad Suhael Adnan