NAJIB CONGRATULATES AUSTRALIA'S NEW PM

PUTRAJAYA, June 25(Bernama) -- Najib Razak Friday congratulated Julia
Gillard on her appointment as Australia's new prime minister.

The prime minister spoke with Gillard, Australia's first woman prime
minister, for four minutes by phone from his office here from 12.46pm.

Najib told Bernama later that they agreed that Malaysia and Australia must
constantly keep in touch to further their joint interests.

"We agreed (on this) in view that Malaysia and Australia have long-standing
ties and common interests in this region and at the global level," he said.

Najib said he also welcomed Gillard to visit Malaysia and the region.

"She said her focus would be domestic matters in the next day or two because
she will be facing a general election soon.

"However, she will visit Malaysia when the time is right and she also hoped
that I would visit Australia," he said.

Gillard, 48, was sworn in as prime minister Thursday after Kevin Rudd, who
had held the post for less than three eyars, stepped down instead of facing a
leadership ballot.
-- BERNAMA


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