JAPANESE Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has voiced support for caretaker prime minister Najib Razak’s bid to retain the Barisan Nasional government in the 14th general election, said a member of Japan’s house of representatives, Keiji Furuya, in Perak.

Abe’s wishes were conveyed in a personal letter to Najib that was delivered to caretaker deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi today by Furuya and Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Dr Makio Miyagawa.

Furuya and Miyagawa were in Tanjung Malim, where Zahid attended a meet-the-people session.

“Abe sent his best wishes to Najib for this general election as both their governments enjoy a good relationship,” Furuya told reporters at the event held at the Sungkai community hall.

He added that he and Zahid are “good friends”.

“We (Japan) have with Malaysia a strategic economic partnership agreement that we must continue.”

Asked about the waning public support for BN, Furuya said Japan does not interfere in Malaysia’s internal affairs.

Miyagawa, meanwhile, declined to speak to the press.

The appearance of two Japanese men caused a stir at the community hall, but they were welcomed warmly by Zahid, who is from Perak and will defend the Bagan Datuk seat.

Zahid later told reporters that Abe’s support is not political interference.

“They’re just delivering Abe’s letter to the (caretaker) prime minister, and they just want to say hello to local voters and BN supporters.”

He added that there are Japanese companies keen to invest in Tanjung Malim if BN retains the federal seat and the three state seats under it.

Tanjung Malim is a BN stronghold, held by component party MCA. Having only seen straight fights before, it will now see a three-cornered battle between BN, PAS and Pakatan Harapan.

However, Sungkai, one of its state seats, has been held by PH component DAP for the last two terms. – May 2, 2018.