SINGAPORE LEADERS CONGRATULATE NAJIB

KUALA LUMPUR, April 4 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's new Prime Minister Najib Razak
has received congratulatory messages from Singapore leaders who expressed
confidence that ties between both countries would be further enhanced.

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he was confident that Malaysia
would continue to prosper under Najib's stewardship, saying that he look
forward to working closely with the new prime minister to further enhance "our
warm relations and mutual cooperation".

"We have much to gain by working together bilaterally, regionally and
internationally," he said in a statement.

Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, in conveying his warmest congratulations to
Najib, said:

"Your father, Malaysia's second Prime Minister, held the office with great
distinction. He would have been very proud of you, were he still alive. You now
have the opportunity to lead Malaysia to greater heights," he said in a separate
statement.

Senior Minister and Former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, in his message,
said that the republic and Malaysia were close neighbours and that they should
open a new chapter of stronger bilateral relations and work together to build an
integrated Asean.

Senior Minister and Co-ordinating Minister for National Security S.
Jayakumar said Najib took over the reins at a time of deep challenge facing the
global economy, but "I have utmost confidence that you will lead Malaysia
forward to greater achievements".

Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Wong Kan
Seng said he was convinced that Najib, with his vast experience, would be more
than able to lead the country.

Meanwhile, several foreign representatives here congratulated the new prime
minister, including the United States Ambassador to Malaysia James Keith.

"The US and Malaysia enjoy a productive and cooperative relationship based
on enduring shared national interests.

"As Malaysia proceeds with its political transition, we look forward to
working with the new Malaysian leadership and with the people of Malaysia to
realise the full potential of our strong and developing bilateral ties," he said
in a statement.

Meanwhile speaking to Bernama over the phone, Nigeria's High Commissioner to
Malaysia Peter J.E. Anegbeh said that his country was hoping for a stronger
bilateral ties with Kuala Lumpur especially in the field of trade and
investment.

He said Nigeria, which is the most populous country in Africa, also hoped
that there would be official exchange of visits between the highest level of
leadership of the two countries.

Anegbeh also said that Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, during his tenure, was
supposed to visit Nigeria but that did not take place.

He hoped that the new prime minister would visit the African country in the
future.

Senegal Ambassador Abdel Kader Pierre Fall hoped that under Najib's
leadership, Kuala Lumpur and Dakar's bilateral relations would be further
strengthened, especially in the economic field.

Abdel Kader said Senegal, which is the current chairman of the 57-member
Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), was also looking forward to
working closely with the new leadership on issues affecting the ummah.

Cuba's ambassador to Malaysia Carlos A. Amores said that he was confident
that the Havana - Kuala Lumpur relations would continue to develop and
strengthen in various fields under Najib's leadership.

He said that Cuba and Malaysia enjoyed good ties and that he believed that
under Najib, there would be more cooperation, encompassing wider areas.

Azerbaijan Ambassador to Malaysia Tahir Karimov also congratulated the new
prime minister, saying he hoped that under Najib's wise guidance, the
cooperation between the two countries would be further developed.

Palestine Ambassador to Malaysia Abdul Elaziz Abu Ghoush said that he and
the Palestinian people was confident that Malaysia under the new leadership of
Najib would continue to support and assist their noble cause, something which
Malaysia had been doing since the beginning of the Palestine struggle.

Malaysia and the people had helped the Palestinian people in many ways, he
said, adding Malaysia offered tremendous support and solidarity during Israel's
brutal attacks against the Palestinian in Gaza recently.

Islamic Republic of Iran Ambassador to Malaysia Mahdi Khandaghabadi said
that under the leadership of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Abdullah, Iran
and Malaysia had made historical achievements in their bilateral relations.

Najib, in his former capacities had also contributed significantly to such
achievements, he said.

"That is why I am sure that under the leadership of Prime Minister Najib the
relationship between Islamic Republic of Iran and Malaysia will enter a new
phase of success and opportunities, especially in the promotion of trade and
business," he said.
-- BERNAMA