Marcos Jr. congratulates ‘good friend’ Anwar

MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos yesterday called Malaysia’s long-time opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim to congratulate him on his election as his country’s 10th prime minister.

“I just wanted to be – to immediately – to be one of the first to congratulate you because I’m very happy to hear the news. I was very happy to hear the news and I wanted to congratulate you immediately myself,” Marcos told Anwar in a telephone call.

Marcos said he looks forward to working with the new Malaysian leader particularly as the Southeast Asian region tackles various challenges.

“I am sure this will make Malaysia and the Philippines even closer because we will be in touch with another,” he said.

Marcos, in a brief statement, earlier in the day referred to the 75-year-old prime minister as a “good friend.”

The President said he expects Anwar’s leadership to bring stability not just in Malaysia but in the entire region.

“I would like to congratulate my good friend Anwar Ibrahim on his election as Prime Minister of Malaysia. I look forward to the stability that his leadership will provide Malaysia and the region,” Marcos said.

In his Twitter account, Anwar thanked Marcos for the call, saying: “As founding fathers of ASEAN, our two nations have always enjoyed strong cooperation in bilateral, regional and multilateral forums.”

During the call, Anwar said Malaysia wants the Philippines’ commitment to collaboration in different areas such as trade and investment.

“We have to really work together, otherwise, we will not be able to get over this crisis of inflation, of the agricultural commodities, all of that. I saw your statement that the economy will be your first priority. And I found myself in the same position. So, we can – I think we can help each other with Malaysia and the Philippines,” he said.

The President also told the Malaysian prime minister that they have some commonality: they both waited for a very, very long time to get into the position.

In response, Anwar said some in his social media team learned from Marcos’ expertise and strategy.

Former president Joseph Estrada said he received news of Anwar’s becoming prime minister “with great joy.”

“I know all too well the long and difficult times you endured over the years before achieving this milestone in your career and I’m truly excited for the future of Malaysia under your capable leadership,” Estrada said in a statement.

“You are probably aware that much has happened since we last saw each other and I’m now happily retired from public life and enjoying being a spectator in the political world,” he added.

“It is my hope that my eldest son Jinggoy, who is serving in the Senate, will have access to your wise counsel should he need it. My friend, I wish you all the blessings of Allah as you fulfill your destiny,” Estrada said.

Anwar’s Pakatan Harapan (Alliance of Hope) coalition won 82 seats, still short of the required 112-seat majority but more than the 73 seats grabbed by the Muhyiddin Yassin’s Perikatan Nasional (National Alliance) of former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin’s Perikatan Nasional (National Alliance).

Anwar was named Malaysia’s prime minister by King Al-Sultan Abdullah and sworn in Thursday.