ID :
68289
Mon, 06/29/2009 - 19:16
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/68289
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NEW MILESTONE IN KL-WASHINGTON TIES
By Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah
KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 (Bernama) -- The 20-minute telephone conversation on
Friday night between Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and United States
President Barack Obama, marks a new milestone in political and economic
relations between the two countries, said an analyst.
Ahmad Ikram Abdullah, a fellow at the Institute of Strategic and
International Studies (ISIS), told Bernama, the conversation is evidence of
Obama's seriousness in enhancing ties with Malaysia.
"What's interesting to me is, this is the first time both leaders have
spoken to each other since assuming office.
"It generates positive vibes and is indicative of a fresh bid towards
building a new era in bilateral relations," he added.
Malaysia and the United States share a diverse and expanding
partnership.
Economic ties are robust. The United States is Malaysia’s largest
trading partner. Malaysia is currently the 18th largest trading partner of the
United States, with US$43.7 billion in two-way trade during 2008.
The United States' trade deficit with Malaysia was US$17.8 billion in 2008.
The United States is also the largest foreign investor in Malaysia on a
cumulative basis.
American companies are particularly active in the energy, electronics, and
manufacturing sectors.
According to Ahmad Ikram -- he is currently involved in research work on
areas such as the New Economic Model, New Economic Policy and Political
Communication Strategies -- there was previously some negative perception of
each other on the part of both countries.
He said the fact that Obama called Najib, showed his humility and
sincerity, in trying to improve ties with Malaysia.
During the conversation, he stated, Obama had touched on the subject of the
global economic crisis, and Najib had explained how Malaysia was affected by it.
"They also discussed about revisiting the Free Trade Agreement at an
appropriate juncture.Being Malaysia's largest export market, the United States
attaches significant importance to the country," he explained.
Another notable point of the conversation, he said, was Obama's recognition
of Malaysia as an example of a progressive Muslim-majority country.
"It is a reflection of Obama's recent address to the Muslim world in Cairo,"
he added.
On the Guantanamo detention centre, Najib had stated that Obama had agreed
to work with Malaysia, to arrange for the transfer of two of the country's
detainees there.
"This is a good sign (of collaboration)," Ahmad Ikram said.
He highlighted that the whole conversation brought about a sense of
seriousness and optimism from both sides towards enhancing ties that could
bolster a win-win situation in the immediate and long term.
-- BERNAMA
KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 (Bernama) -- The 20-minute telephone conversation on
Friday night between Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and United States
President Barack Obama, marks a new milestone in political and economic
relations between the two countries, said an analyst.
Ahmad Ikram Abdullah, a fellow at the Institute of Strategic and
International Studies (ISIS), told Bernama, the conversation is evidence of
Obama's seriousness in enhancing ties with Malaysia.
"What's interesting to me is, this is the first time both leaders have
spoken to each other since assuming office.
"It generates positive vibes and is indicative of a fresh bid towards
building a new era in bilateral relations," he added.
Malaysia and the United States share a diverse and expanding
partnership.
Economic ties are robust. The United States is Malaysia’s largest
trading partner. Malaysia is currently the 18th largest trading partner of the
United States, with US$43.7 billion in two-way trade during 2008.
The United States' trade deficit with Malaysia was US$17.8 billion in 2008.
The United States is also the largest foreign investor in Malaysia on a
cumulative basis.
American companies are particularly active in the energy, electronics, and
manufacturing sectors.
According to Ahmad Ikram -- he is currently involved in research work on
areas such as the New Economic Model, New Economic Policy and Political
Communication Strategies -- there was previously some negative perception of
each other on the part of both countries.
He said the fact that Obama called Najib, showed his humility and
sincerity, in trying to improve ties with Malaysia.
During the conversation, he stated, Obama had touched on the subject of the
global economic crisis, and Najib had explained how Malaysia was affected by it.
"They also discussed about revisiting the Free Trade Agreement at an
appropriate juncture.Being Malaysia's largest export market, the United States
attaches significant importance to the country," he explained.
Another notable point of the conversation, he said, was Obama's recognition
of Malaysia as an example of a progressive Muslim-majority country.
"It is a reflection of Obama's recent address to the Muslim world in Cairo,"
he added.
On the Guantanamo detention centre, Najib had stated that Obama had agreed
to work with Malaysia, to arrange for the transfer of two of the country's
detainees there.
"This is a good sign (of collaboration)," Ahmad Ikram said.
He highlighted that the whole conversation brought about a sense of
seriousness and optimism from both sides towards enhancing ties that could
bolster a win-win situation in the immediate and long term.
-- BERNAMA
