(Eagle News) — The Philippine government congratulated Mahathir Mohamad for his victory in the recent Malaysian elections, saying his “fresh mandate augurs well for the deep relations between the Philippines and Malaysia.”
“We wish to congratulate Mahathir Mohamad on his return as Prime Minister of Malaysia,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement after the now-Malaysian leader was sworn into office.
Calling Mohamad “an old friend of the Philippines,” Roque said the Philippines was “confident that the strong partnership between our countries would continue to be enhanced in the years to come.”
According to Roque, Malaysia was also a “brother nation and dependable partner of the Philippines,” with its “constructive role towards the attainment of peace and stability in Mindanao.”
Roque was apparently referring to Malaysia’s role as third-party facilitator in the Philippine government’s peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.
At 92, Mohamad became the world’s elected leader.
Mohamad, who ruled Malaysia for 22 years until 2003, came out of retirement to run against his former protege, then-Prime Minister Najib Razak.
His win, considered historic, led to the ouster of the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition, which has been in power since 1957.