Malaysia’s Mahathir makes first visit to Cambodia since 1994

Dr Mahathir Mohamad upon arrival in Phnom Penh (Bernama)

Phnom Penh: Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has arrived in Phnom Penh for his first visit to Cambodia since 1994.

During his three-day official visit at the invitation of his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen, Dr Mahathir will attend a dialogue session with about 1,000 students and guests on “Balancing Relations with the Superpowers in the Context of ASEAN” at the Cambodia’s oldest and one of the largest public universities, Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP), Malaysia’s news agency BERNAM reported.

He will also meet with the Muslim community and attend a dinner with the Malaysian diaspora on the first day.

On Tuesday, he will attend the wreath-laying ceremony at Cambodia’s Independence Monument before attending an official welcoming ceremony at the Peace Palace.

Dr Mahathir will hold bilateral talks with Hun Sen and both leaders are expected to discuss issues relating to trade and investment, cooperation in agriculture, defense and halal industry development.

They will also witness the signing of the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTA) and a Memorandum of Understanding on tourism cooperation.

According to BERNAMA, Dr Mahathir will pay a courtesy call to acting head of state and president of Cambodia, Samdech Vibol Sena Pheakdey Say Chhum and attend a dialogue with Malaysian businessmen and investors, involving 28 Malaysian companies operating in Cambodia.