MH370: Najib visits Perth to observe search operations

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak will leave for Perth, Australia for a two-day working visit from today (Wednesday) to observe the multi-national operations into the search for missing Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Flight MH370 from the western Australian city.

The Prime Minister will observe the operations from the Joint Agency Coordination Centre at the Pearce air base of the Royal Australian Air Force in Perth.

"The visit is appropriate to record the appreciation to the Australian government, teams and members who were involved in the search, including from Malaysia," the Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra) said in a statement.

While in Perth, Najib is also scheduled to meet with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott to discuss various issues, specifically the latest developments in the search operation and the direction it will take.

After Perth, Najib will leave for a three-day official visit to Vietnam, beginning April 3 to foster closer cooperation between the two countries.

Najib will be accompanied by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, Minister of International Trade and Industry Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Minister of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and senior officials of the ministries.

While in Vietnam, the Prime Minister will witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in agriculture.

He is also scheduled to pay courtesy calls on Vietnam Communist Party Head, Nguyen Phu Trong, Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang and the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Nguyen Tan Dung.

"The visit provides the best opportunity for the Prime Minister to renew friendship ties with Vietnamese leaders and exchange views on bilateral issues which are of common interest such as trade and investment, cooperation in agriculture and fisheries, education, defence, tourism and regional and international issues," Wisma Putra said.

Data shows that from January till December 2013, trade between Malaysia and Vietnam increased by 13.51 percent to RM10.25 billion compared to RM9.03 billion during the same period in 2012.

In Vietnam, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to host a joint session with notable business people from Malaysia and Vietnam. The session is aimed at creating a new business network to improve and strengthen business and investment ties.

It also provides the opportunity for business representatives from both countries to share views and ideas towards improving the economic ties between Malaysia and Vietnam.