VERBATIM TEXT

OPENING REMARKS BY

THE HONOURABLE DATO’ SERI ANWAR BIN IBRAHIM

PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA

AT THE

MALAYSIA — AUSTRALIA

3^RD ANNUAL LEADERS’ MEETING

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh, selamat pagi,

1. Thank you, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Great to have you again. I mean, in my meetings, including in Australia and many places, you’ve been very candid, very frank, and very supportive. Thank you very much, we do appreciate this. That’s why you have very high-level ministers, half the cabinet’s here to show how important Australia is to us.

2. But I think the consensus that we reached is that we must not just give a nice statement about enhancing relations, but in trade, investments, education, culture, there are so many new areas.

3. I mean, High Commissioner is doing her best stuff, they have ladies. I forgot the media.

4. So, I think, really welcome and thanks for the support not only here but also at the ASEAN meetings. You’ve been a great friend, and I’m really truly privileged to have you.

5. And of course, I immediately called to congratulate you. I don’t know how you did it, but you won very convincingly.

Thank you.