KUALA LUMPUR, June 27 — Central Asian countries such as the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, regard Malaysia as an exemplary model of an Islamic country, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.
Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan told parliamentarians this was because Malaysia adopts a moderate attitude at the international level and an independent foreign policy, including in defending Palestinians’ rights.
He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, during his visits to the three countries last month, was welcomed with high respect by his counterparts.
“The Prime Ministers of the three countries personally greeted our Prime Minister upon arrival. That is truly an honour to our country… they look up to us as an exemplary model.
“They really hold us in high regard and they want to learn from Malaysia how to progress after they declared independence from the Soviet Union,” he said in reply to Aminolhuda Hassan (PH-Sri Gading) during Ministers’ Question Time.
Citing the Kyrgyz Republic as an example, Mohamad said it wants Malaysia to send an adviser to help build their country.
“The Foreign Affairs Ministry has proposed several names to the Prime Minister’s Office so (the Kyrgyz Republic’s) request for an adviser to help it plan its socio-economic development can be granted immediately,” he said.
Mohamad said bilateral relations between Malaysia and the three countries open the potential for Malaysia’s investment and trade cooperation in the Central Asian region, which is rich in mineral products and known as the C5 bloc.
He said as a result of the visits, the three countries proposed that Malaysia and Asean should cooperate with the bloc to explore more trade potential.
“For Malaysia, our businessmen need to go there because their countries are rich in minerals… They invited our businessmen and companies with expertise, skills and ability to explore the mineral sector.
“This is an opportunity for Malaysia to increase trade with these countries and open up space for our entrepreneurs to explore (markets in) those countries,” he said.
— Bernama
