SYDNEY: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said attempts by certain quarters to get his counterpart Malcolm Turnbull to distance himself from him, had clearly failed, given the honour and respect extended to him in Sydney.
Najib, who is here for the two-day Asean-Australia Special Summit hosted by Turnbull, was the Asean leader the latter chose to address the summit’s all-important Counter-Terrorism Conference.
Turnbull, who invited Najib on stage for the prime minister to share Kuala Lumpur’s views on the issue, said that he had the greatest respect for the Malaysian prime minister for his strong leadership that had helped the region address the evolving threats of terrorism and violent extremism.
In his speech, Turnbull told the global audience tuned in on the plan the region had drafted in the war against terror that “Najib was among Australia’s best allies in the war against the scourge”.
At a private Asean leaders’ dinner right after the conclusion of the conference earlier today, Turnbill positioned himself next to Najib, where the two leaders shared their insights on issues of mutual concern.
During a press conference with Malaysian media, Najib, when asked about his engagements with Turnbull, said: “I was given the special honour by my counterpart who had me deliver the keynote address at the counter-terrorism conference... We were also seated next to each other at the dinner just now.
“Clearly, attempts to get Turnbull to distance himself from me has failed as the Australian government chose to give the Malaysian government the highest honour,” he said.
Although Najib mentioned no names, it is clear that he was referring to the demand former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had made to Turnbull.
Turnbull, who delivered his keynote address before Najib, was also on the same page with the prime minister on the importance of having laws that could rein in terror elements, before they get out of control, saying that Asean must work together to develop and implement counter-terrorism legislation consistent with international standards and best practices.
“It is vital for Australia and our Asean partners to collaborate across borders to ensure that our counter-terrorism legal frameworks are robust enough to provide effective investigation, prosecution and punishment, while being flexible enough to adapt to the changing and uncertain security environment,” he said.
Najib said he had shared with Canberra and other Asean leaders, Malaysia's long and consistent record in combating terrorism and violent extremism, thanks in part, to its existing laws and mechanisms.
Malaysia, he said, used the National Security Council, Prevention of Terrorism and the Security Offences (Special Measures) Acts, as it did not want to wait for atrocities to be committed before taking action.
The government’s decision to use these legal mechanisms he said, “had saved many lives, both Malaysian, and non-Malaysian”.
Earlier today, Najib had a bilateral meeting with Turnbull. During the session at the Sydney International Convention Centre (ICC), the two leaders discussed their governments' bilateral trade and investment, cooperation in defence, education, as well Kuala Lumpur and Canberra's regional cooperation in combating terrorism.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman and his counterpart Julie Bishop sat in with the leaders.
Tomorrow, Najib is scheduled to attend the leaders’ plenary, the centrepiece of this special summit.
The session is scheduled to highlight opportunities for Asean and Canberra to work closer on areas of shared mutual interest, including tackling people smuggling and human trafficking, to strengthening maritime cooperation, to securing greater opportunities.
The leaders will also be focusing on trade, economic development, and cyber-security.