MALAYSIA WELCOMES OBAMA'S PLAN

PUTRAJAYA, June 11 (Bernama) -- Although United States President Barack
Obama is keen to forge closer relations with the Islamic world, what is
important now is to take concrete actions to realise the plan, said Prime
Minister Najib Razak.

"I think his speech was good but it is important to back it with concrete
measures. Malaysia is prepared to cooperate with the US to achieve this," he
said.

Najib was asked to comment on Obama's speech to the Muslim world last
Thursday in Cairo where he called for a new beginning of US-Muslim relations.

Obama had said that the US would not be at war with Muslim countries while
the rights of the Palestinians would not be sidelined.

The US president also praised Malaysia as a model Muslim country which could
develop in a peaceful manner.

"I have followed and read the speech which signals a new desire of the US to
mend the rift between the Muslim world and the West," Najib told reporters after
the 2010 Budget Consultative Meeting at the Finance Ministry, here, Thursday.
-- BERNAMA