PRIME MINISTER Najib Razak is highly regarded by United States President Donald Trump as a trusted partner, says Foreign Minister Anifah Aman.

Anifah said he came to this conclusion after observing the ease with which Trump engaged with Najib at the recent Asean summit and related summits in Manila.

Sharing his experience, Anifah said Trump had words of praise for Najib at the Asean-US Dialogue held in conjunction with the summits.

Trump gave Najib a pat on the back for what the former said was the outstanding role Malaysia played in coordinating the Asean-US Dialogue.

Anifah quoted Trump as saying: “Prime Minister Najib is a good friend of mine, a very good friend of mine. We have known each other before I became President, when I was in the business world. In life, you will never know where you will end up.” 

The Foreign Minister said Trump made the statement at the outset of the dialogue as he looked at all the Asean leaders present.

Anifah said Trump’s statement Najib was a good friend of his was indeed an appreciation because the US President was “selfish” with words of praise for leaders and countries.

“But, he (Trump) singled out Malaysia. He said Najib is a good friend of mine. These are not words Trump says easily,” he said.

He said guided by the “Make America Great Again” slogan at his maiden participation in the Asean-US Dialogue, Trump stated his commitment to Asean interests and said he appreciated the Asean-US Dialogue and sought mutually beneficial cooperation.

Anifah said Najib had the qualities that elicited in Trump the appreciation and trust for the Prime Minister, and cited one of these as the consistent stand Malaysia projected on various matters, such as the Rohingya and South China Sea issues.

He also said that while Malaysia was close to China, it did not compromise on issues that involved the sovereignty of the country.

Anifah said it must have been the friendship developed by Najib and Trump earlier that was a factor in Najib getting invited to the White House a few months after Trump became president.

The meeting between Najib and Trump at the White House took place on Sept 12.

Anifah said an invitation might be extended for Trump to visit Malaysia after the 14th General Election, which is due by June 2018. – Bernama, November 18, 2017.