[UPDATED] Saifuddin welcomes Australia’s Penny Wong with eye on economy, regional security

KUALA LUMPUR – Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah today expressed optimism at the outcome of a meeting held in Putrajaya with his newly minted counterpart from Australia,  Penny Wong – in which they discussed trade and regional security, among other things.

Welcoming Wong, who was born in Sabah, Saifuddin conveyed Malaysia’s appreciation for the comprehensive and strategic partnership (CSP) forged between the two countries, describing it as a “landmark event”.

“We discussed the progress of the CSP, covering its three main pillars: economic prosperity, society and technology, as well as defence cooperation and regional security,” he said in a tweet after their meeting.

He said they both felt satisfaction at the positive growth witnessed throughout the two countries’ multifaceted cooperation, especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to Bernama, Saifuddin and Wong had a bilateral meeting that covered a wide range of topics concerning both countries as well as current regional and global issues.

“Malaysia is confident that all of the various collaborative efforts made under the partnership will contribute significantly towards supporting the region to rise from the challenges posed by the pandemic,” Saifuddin said during a joint news conference with Wong at his office in Putrajaya today.

Malaysia and Australia elevated their bilateral ties to CSP in February 2021. Australia also established the CSP with Asean last year.

Saifuddin said digital economy and cybersecurity were among key areas both countries should strengthen in terms of cooperation.

He said Malaysia-Australia bilateral trade in 2021 amounted to US$14 billion, an increase of 30% from 2020, adding that there were “ways and means to add to that number”.

Considering the fact that there has been a significant presence of Malaysian students there – with the number currently amounting to 12,000 – the two top diplomats emphasised people-to-people relationships as one of the areas that can be further developed. 

Saifuddin said he had taken note of Australia’s position on humanitarian assistance that it provided to Myanmar. 

Meanwhile, Wong, in echoing Saifuddin, said moving forward Malaysia and Australia would work to give greater momentum to the partnership.

She said Australia is ready to continue to be a wheat and meat supplier to Malaysia, especially at a time when global supply chains are constrained. 

“As comprehensive strategic partners, we will work with Malaysia on any required issue in terms of supply constraint arising from the (Ukraine-Russia) conflict,” she said. 

Wong, who moved to Australia at the age of 8, will fly to Kota Kinabalu tomorrow where she is scheduled to attend a series of official functions.

Wong assumed office in her current portfolio on May 23. She has headed two other Australian ministries prior to this. 

She was elected as a senator for South Australia in 2001, and went on to defend her seat in 2007, 2013, and 2016. This makes Wong the fourth longest-serving senator in Australia.

She also made history as the first female to become the leader of the government in the Senate in 2013, and subsequently the leader of the opposition in the Senate after her party’s defeat in the 2013 elections. – The Vibes, June 28, 2022