logo
Malaysia rolls out warm welcome for Guinea-Bissau president

Malaysia rolls out warm welcome for Guinea-Bissau president

PUTRAJAYA: President of Guinea-Bissau General Umaro Sissoco Embaló received an official welcome at the Perdana Putra Complex today.
His arrival was greeted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at 9.00am.
Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Fadillah Yusof, Transport Minister Anthony Loke, Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa and Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.
Also in attendance were several deputy ministers, senior government officials and diplomats.
Guinea-Bissau is a country in West Africa, bordered by Senegal to the north and Guinea to the south and east. Its capital is Bissau.
Embaló, who is on a four-day visit, then inspected a guard of honour mounted by three officers and 103 officers of different ranks, led by Major Mohamad Waqiyuddin Abdul Rahman, from the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment.
This official visit marks his first visit to Malaysia since assuming office as the President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau in February 2020.
Anwar will host Embaló and his delegation which includes the Republic's Minister of Economic Planning and Regional Integration, Soares Sambú, as well as senior officials from the Cabinet at a luncheon today.
Wisma Putra in a statement yesterday said the visit reflects the shared commitment of both Malaysia and Guinea-Bissau to further strengthen bilateral relations and explore new avenues of cooperation, building upon the warm and longstanding ties that have united the two nations.
Malaysia and Guinea-Bissau established diplomatic relations in November 1974.
Bilateral ties between the two countries remain cordial, based on a shared commitment to cooperation on both bilateral and multilateral platforms, including the United Nations (UN), the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
In 2024, Malaysia's total trade with Guinea-Bissau reached RM4.1 million, with Malaysian exports amounting to RM4.04 million and imports standing at RM0.06 million.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Thai PM thanks Anwar for offer to assist in border dispute
Thai PM thanks Anwar for offer to assist in border dispute

The Star

time2 hours ago

  • The Star

Thai PM thanks Anwar for offer to assist in border dispute

A royalist activist holds a Thai flag as he protests in front of the Royal Embassy of Cambodia, following a recent clash at the Thailand-Cambodia border on May 28, 2025, in Bangkok, Thailand, June 6, 2025. - Reuters BANGKOK: Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said she has discussed the Thai-Cambodia border situation with Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim during a phone conversation on Friday (June 6). She said Anwar has expressed readiness to assist both sides in resolving the dispute. "Thank you, PM Anwar Ibrahim, for the call this afternoon to discuss the Thai - Cambodian border situation and to express readiness to help both sides to resolve the matter. "I reaffirmed Thailand's commitment to a peaceful resolution through existing bilateral mechanisms, while safeguarding our sovereignty in accordance with international law,' she said on her official X account on Friday. Malaysia as the current Asean chair, is understood to be closely monitoring developments on the border issue. Earlier Friday, Paetongtarn, after chairing the National Security Council meeting, announced that Thailand had established a special task force to address security concerns along its border with Cambodia. She said the army had been assigned to coordinate operations and maintain readiness to respond to any developments, prioritising the protection of sovereignty while safeguarding international relations to ensure national security. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, Supreme Commander General Songwit Noonpakdee, National Security Council Chief Chatchai Bangchuad and the military's commanders-in-chief. On May 28, Thai and Cambodian troops were involved in a brief gunfight in Thailand's north-eastern Ubon Ratchathani province and Cambodia's northern Preah Vihear province, where one Cambodian soldier was reportedly killed. Cambodia has since announced its intention to bring the border dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Meanwhile, the two neighbours have agreed to discuss the issue through the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), scheduled to meet in Phnom Penh on 14 June. - Bernama

[UPDATED] Malaysia to continue diplomatic efforts for Palestinian cause
[UPDATED] Malaysia to continue diplomatic efforts for Palestinian cause

New Straits Times

time2 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

[UPDATED] Malaysia to continue diplomatic efforts for Palestinian cause

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said regional leaders have agreed to continue consultations and explore urgent solutions to the Gaza crisis, reaffirming a united front against Israeli aggression. Speaking after attending Aidiladha prayers at Masjid Putra, Anwar said his recent conversations with foreign counterparts — including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Iranian President Dr Masoud Pezeshkian, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif — had focused on the worsening situation in Gaza. "In all these discussions, we expressed a clear and united stance on Gaza — to stop the violence, reject all efforts to obstruct humanitarian aid, and to strongly condemn Israel's brutal and aggressive actions," he said. Anwar said the leaders had agreed to continue consultations and find alternative ways to resolve the crisis as soon as possible. Malaysia does not have diplomatic relations with Israel and has consistently voiced strong support for the Palestinian cause. The country has long advocated for Palestinian statehood and regularly condemns Israeli actions in the occupied territories. The United States recently vetoed a resolution calling for a ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access in Gaza, arguing that it would undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts. The move was heavily criticised by other members of the United Nations Security Council. It marked the 15-member body's first vote on the situation since November, when the United States — a key Israeli ally — also blocked a resolution calling for an end to the fighting. Asked whether Malaysia would raise the matter directly with the United States following its latest veto, Anwar said the government had already conveyed its position. "We have expressed our views, and they are already known to the international community. But this is not something one country can resolve on its own. "As we did with the Gulf states recently through Asean-GCC cooperation, we are rallying other nations to issue firm statements and pressure the world to stop the violence," he said. Anwar also criticised countries that publicly condemned Israel while continuing to supply it with weapons. "To condemn while selling arms to Israel is an act that clearly violates international and humanitarian law," he said. The conflict began after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, prompting a large-scale Israeli military offensive in Gaza. The war has left Gaza's population facing severe shortages of food, water and medicine, as humanitarian conditions continue to deteriorate.

Ringgit set to extend gains as US fundamentals weaken
Ringgit set to extend gains as US fundamentals weaken

New Straits Times

time3 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

Ringgit set to extend gains as US fundamentals weaken

KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit is poised to extend its gains against the US dollar next week, buoyed by weakening US fundamentals, easing trade tensions, and stronger domestic economic resilience. The local currency has already strengthened against major and Asean currencies, and Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the trend is likely to persist as economic momentum in the US continues to lose steam. "We expect this trend to hold in the near term, driven by signs of a slowing US economy as business and consumer sentiment continue to weaken," he told Business Times. Afzanizam added that heightened uncertainty over US trade policies is further dampening confidence among businesses, prompting a reassessment of the greenback's global standing. "In some ways, the US dollar's dominance in the global economy is being revisited. This shift could favour emerging market currencies, including the ringgit, in the short to medium term," he said. Echoing this view, SPI Asset Management managing partner Stephen Innes said that foreign appetite for Malaysian assets remains strong, further supporting the local currency. "The ringgit is finally catching a break. With the US dollar on the back foot, tariffs de-escalating, and capital inflows into bonds and FX deposits rising, there is a tangible floor forming under ringgit," he said. Innes pointed to growing foreign appetite for Malaysian debt, highlighting the 3.3 times bid-to-cover ratio in May's 20-year government investment issue (GII) auction as a signal of revived confidence. He noted that foreign holdings of local government bonds have risen to 21.5 per cent, reversing a dip recorded in February. Adding to the ringgit's resilience, foreign currency deposits in local banks have climbed to a record 11.6 per cent of total deposits, offering a buffer against external shocks. Innes said that while Malaysia is not immune to global economic fragility, it is also not a sitting duck, with the domestic investment cycle now taking the lead. "If the trade war cools and global risk sentiment remains stable, Malaysia may continue to navigate the delicate balance between global volatility and domestic resilience. The ringgit, for once, has a shot at playing offence," he added. The ringgit opened higher this morning, extending its gains against the US dollar. At 8am, it stood at 4.2140/4.2335 compared with Thursday's close of 4.2245/4.2295. The local currency also traded mostly higher against major currencies, gaining ground against the Japanese yen and British pound, though it slipped slightly against the euro. Among regional peers, the ringgit appreciated across most Asean currencies, including the Singapore dollar, Thai baht, Indonesian rupiah and Philippine peso. It ended Friday's session at 4.2275 against the greenback.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store