Mahathir, Malaysian king to visit RP

KUALA LUMPUR (via PLDT) – Malaysia’s King Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah and his Queen will visit the Philippines in January next year upon the invitation of President Arroyo.

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad will also come for a visit next year but no exact date has yet been agreed between the Philippine and Malaysian governments, according to George Reyes, Malacañang protocol officer.

Mrs. Arroyo made the invitation to the Royal Couple, known here as Yang di-Pertuan Agong and Raja Permaisuri Agong, during the state banquet for her and the Philippine delegation at the Istena Negara or Royal Palace Tuesday night.

"I am very happy to hear that you are willing to make a state visit to the Philippines early next year," Mrs. Arroyo told the King. "I hope this will coincide with the fifth meeting of a joint Philippine-Malaysian Commission and that it will be scheduled sometime in January."

In turn, King Salahuddin toasted Mrs. Arroyo and her party, and thanked the Chief Executive for choosing Malaysia as the destination for her first official trip abroad.

"Malaysia welcomes efforts of Her Excellency to bring about peace and harmony to the Southern Philippines," the King said. "With the establishment of peace, the development in the Southern Philippines can be implemented more effectively and efficiently."

King Salahuddin told Mrs. Arroyo that once peace returns to Mindanao, Malaysian investors will set out for the region and bring investments needed for its development.

At the Shangri-La Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, 1,400 Filipino workers each paid 60 Malaysian ringgits ($16 or P900) to have the honor of dining with Mrs. Arroyo and the Philippine delegation last night.

Ric Berlin Jr., welfare officer at the Philippine Embassy, said the proceeds from the fund-raising dinner will go to Mrs. Arroyo’s anti-poverty projects in the Philippines.

Other guests paid 20 Malaysian ringgits per plate for the presidential dinner, he added.

Berlin said singer Martin Nievera is expected to perform at the presidential dinner as he has been in Kuala Lumpur for a series of concerts since last week.

Mrs. Arroyo also handed out Pag-IBIG housing loans to three OFWs yesterday: one of them was Narisa Dangaran who received a P681,000 loan for a house and lot in Trece Martires, Cavite.

Secretary Michael Defensor, chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, said Mrs. Arroyo has approved Pag-IBIG’s expanded housing loan program to allow OFWs to get as much P2 million in loans.

"We hope with the new program to blitz with the private housing developers, we can create new housing purchases by OFWs," he said.– Marichu Villanueva