LONDON: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad arrived this morning on the first leg of his working visit to the United Kingdom.
Dr Mahathir, accompanied by his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali and senior government officials were greeted by Malaysian Charge d’Affaires, Mohd Suhaimi Jaafar, as well as heads of departments and Malaysian agencies here at the Malaysian government residence after arriving from Stansted Airport.
Dr Mahathir will have a packed two-day working visit before flying off to attend the 73rd United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. His visit is expected to include meetings with captains of industry, key investors, international capital market analysts and potential new investors based in the United Kingdom (UK) and European Union (EU).
According to Wisma Putra, the prime minister will be visiting high-tech companies, Dyson Design and Engineering Centre before delivering a keynote address entitled, “The Challenge of Good Governance in the Muslim World" at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies on Monday.
The prime minister will also have a dialogue with members of the Bunga Raya Club UK, which was established in 2017 by Malaysian students in the UK.
According to a statement by Bunga Raya Club UK, the prime minister will give an opportunity to members to gain insight regarding their roles in realising the vision of the club.
It goes on to say that the Bunga Raya Club UK hopes to serve as a channel between the government and Malaysian students in the UK and Ireland.
After UNGA, Dr Mahathir will return for the second leg of his visit to the UK on Sept 29, where he is scheduled to deliver a talk titled “Future of Democracy in Asia” at Chatham House in London.
A Wisma Putra statement said: “In realising the government’s aim to boost foreign direct investments into the country, the prime minister will also be meeting key investors, international capital market analysts and potential new investors based in the UK and EU.”
The event is organised by the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Ltd.
Dr Mahathir, Wisma Putra added, would attend a briefing session on police and public sector reform in the UK.
He will also be interviewed on BBC’s HARDtalk programme, and host a dialogue session and hi-tea with about 500 Malaysians residing and studying in the country. The visit is expected to strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.