Anwar scheduled for Manila summit with brief return to Malaysia

Malaysia’s delegation to the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits will be headed by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is expected in Manila on November 15. Malaysian Ambassador to the Philippines Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino Anthony outlined the prime minister’s schedule for the gathering, which ends on November 17.

Anwar’s itinerary includes plenary discussions, a retreat and exchanges with ASEAN youth, the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly and the ASEAN Business Advisory Council. He also has bilateral talks planned with fellow ASEAN leaders, the ambassador told Malaysian media.

After attending ASEAN meetings involving China, the United Nations, Australia and South Korea, Anwar is due to travel home to receive French President Emmanuel Macron on an official visit on the morning of November 17. His return to Manila is planned for that afternoon, ahead of the ASEAN-United States Special Summit and a dinner hosted by the Philippine president.

Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan will take charge of Malaysia’s delegation during Anwar’s absence on November 17. His programme includes the 29th ASEAN Plus Three Summit, the 4th Asia Zero Emission Community Leaders’ Meeting, the 21st East Asia Summit and ASEAN meetings with Japan and India.

Anwar will be accompanied by his wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Mohamad and Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Johari Abdul Ghani. Abdul Malik said four ministerial meetings on November 14 would precede the summit, with implementation of the Five-Point Consensus among the subjects for consultation.