VISIT OPENS NEW CHAPTER IN MALAYSIA, UK RELATIONS

LONDON, July 16 (Bernama) -- Relations between the Malaysian and British
leaderships have been given a new lease of life following the official visit by
Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to the UK which ended Friday.

After years of a relationship best described as being in a state of "benign
neglect", Najib said the four-day "significant" visit was a recognition that
Malaysia was important to the UK.

"Despite having strong linkages in fields such as trade, investment and
education, ties at the leadership level appeared to be something that needed to
be rekindled.

"And I'm satisfied that my meetings with British Prime Minister David
Cameron and other senior ministers had indicated that Malaysia is an important
country for them to focus on," Najib told a press conference as he wrapped up
his visit to the UK.

He said Cameron had mentioned the possibility of visiting Malaysia one day
in efforts to strengthen London-Kuala Lumpur ties.

Najib also noted that within the space of one day (on Thursday), he had an
audience with Queen Elizabeth II and had met Cameron as well as three other
senior British ministers.

"This is a positive indication that the British side would also like to see
our ties resuscitated and be given a higher profile," Najib said.

He said the Queen would also like to see relations between the two
historically-linked countries be strengthened.

Malaysia gained independence from Britain in 1957.