Phnom Penh: Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly (NA) Cambodia, held here this afternoon bilateral talks with H.E. Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr.) Johari bin Abdul, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malaysia.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the Cambodian NA President praised the achievements and resilience of bilateral ties, and confirmed Cambodia’s participation at the upcoming General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in Malaysia. She emphasized Cambodia’s full support for the ASEAN chairmanship of Malaysia.

During the meeting, the Malaysian House Speaker praised the development of Phnom Penh, noting its transformation since his first visit in 2000, and likened it to New York with its many skyscrapers. He stated that Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN this year would focus on “sustainability” and “inclusion,” highlighting the importance of peace and neutrality in Southeast Asia.

The discussions included a frank exchange of views on strengthening bilateral ties in fields such as investment, trade, labour, energy, and food security. H.E. Tan Sri Dato’ Johari expressed Malaysia’s readiness to encourage more Malaysian investment in Cambodia and to protect the rights and wellbeing of Cambodian migrant workers in Malaysia.

The Malaysian House Speaker and his spouse arrived in Phnom Penh earlier Thursday on a three-day official visit in the Kingdom. He was expected to meet later Thursday with H.E. Neak Oknha Datuk Dr. Othsman Hassan, Senior Minister in Charge of Special Missions and President of the Cambodia Muslim Development Foundation.

Samdech Khuon Sudary is set to host a dinner for the Malaysian House Speaker, his spouse, and their high-level delegation in the evening.