PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., along with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos are set to fly to Malaysia for a 3-day visit from July 25-27, 2023.
Aside from First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, the President will also bring with him a delegation composed of key cabinet officials including the Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Department (DFA) as well as members of the economic team.
In briefing, the DFA said that Pres. Marcos will travel to Malaysia at the invitation of the 16th King, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, and the two are also expected to meet.
“President Ferdinand R. Marcos and First Lady Ma. Louise Araneta-Marcos were invited by the King of Malaysia to undertake a state visit to the country on 25th to 27th July 2023. During the visit the President will have an audience with the King of Malaysia and a meeting with the Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to identify new areas of synergy between the two countries,” Ma. Teresita C. Daza, Spokesperson, DFA said.
The President will also meet with Malaysian Prime Minister Dato Sero Anwar Ibrahim.
It can be remembered that both leaders had talked to each other during Anwar’s March visit to the Philippines wherein Marcos and Anwar stressed cooperation in the field of politics and security, especially in fighting transnational crime and terrorism.
Anwar’s visit to the Philippines marks the first-ever official visit of a head of a government for the year 2023.
Pres. Marcos to meet Malaysian business leaders a day after SONA
Pres. Marcos’ is also expected to meet Malaysian business leaders together with his delegation in an effort to seek more investment opportunities for Filipinos. “During the visit the Philippines (?) Will also meet with prominent Filipino and Malaysian business leaders to enhance bilateral trade and investments and to explore economic opportunities for the Filipino people,” Daza added.
Pres. Marcos to greet Filipino community in Malaysia
Pres. Marcos is also expected to personally meet with Filipinos in Malaysia and greet them in Kuala Lumpur.
According to 2022 data from the the Department of Foreign Affairs, there are around 100,000 Filipinos currently working and residing in Malaysia.
Of this number, 14,488 are Filipinos working as in the household service sector; 300 are professional workers, 700 are highly-skilled workers, 800 are semiskilled workers and 260 are general laborers.
Pres. Marcos may discuss Maharlika Fund, Sabah issue during state visit to Malaysia
The DFA also said that the Maharlika Investment Fund is expected to be raised during PBBM’s state visit to Malaysia next week.
“Yes, it’s very safe to presume and assume. It’s pretty safe to assume that it will may be raised and promoted during this visit,” Ma. Teresita C. Daza, Spokesperson, DFA said.
On the other hand, the DFA said it cannot confirm whether the Sabah issue will also be discussed.
It can be remembered that Pres. Marcos has stressed the need for in-depth talks over the issue.
Pres. Marcos has also talked about his stance on the Sabah claim in a vlog post following Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar’s visit to the Philippines last March.
The Philippine government is expecting pres. Marcos to reap more investment pledges that will pave way for more opportunities for Filipinos.
