Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s maiden visit to Phnom Penh on Monday, following his appointment last November, is expected to witness the signing of two recruitment agreements to bring in Cambodian workers.

No further information was given.

According to Malaysian national news agency Bernama, Anwar, who is making his seventh official trip overseas since taking office, has also been accorded a royal audience with King Norodom Sihamoni at the Royal Palace.

The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said Anwar was invited by Prime Minister Hun Sen, where both premiers are expected to explore new ways to deepen their long-standing bilateral relationship.

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Both parties will look at areas to cooperate ranging from political security and economic to socio-cultural, the ministry said, adding that sub-regional, regional and international issues relating to common interest and concerns would be discussed.

The ministry pointed out that Anwar’s visit lends a new impetus to a robust all-round bilateral ties between the two countries.

“It would contribute to the maintenance of peace and stability in the region, as well as to the continued development and prosperity of the ASEAN Community and beyond,” the ministry said in a statement.

In addition, Anwar will be making courtesy calls on Senate President Say Chhum and National Assembly President Heng Samrin during the one-day trip.

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A signing ceremony on cooperative initiatives and a joint press conference has also been planned.

Anwar’s visit culminates with a Ramadan Iftar event, where he breaks fast with about 6,100 Muslims in Cambodia, including 500 Muslim scholars and international participants, before attending Isya’ and Terawih prayers.

The Iftar event is being organised for the first time after it was deferred for three years due to the pandemic, Hun Sen said in a Facebook post last week.

“I’m thankful to Cambodian Muslims for joining the government to prevent [the spread] of Covid-19. Even if we are already successful in preventing Covid-19, I urge everyone to continue following the Covid-19 preventive guidelines.

“Also, I invite you to be vaccinated against Covid-19 in doses 3-4-5 and dose 6 for the sake of our family, relatives and nation,” he added.

sangeetha.amarthalingam@kiripost.com