Phnom Penh, 16 January, 2025 — Samdech Maha Rathsapheathika Thipadei Khuon Sudary, President of the National Assembly, held bilateral talks Thursday with H.E. Tan Sri Dato' (Dr.) Johari bin Abdul, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malaysia.

The National Assembly 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.

“Cambodia fully supports the ASEAN chairmanship of Malaysia,” she said.

The Malaysian Speaker praised the remarkable development of Phnom Penh, which he first visited in 2000, and noted similarities to New York with many skyscrapers.

He said Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN this year would focus on “sustainability” and “inclusion”,  stressing the importance of peace and neutrality of Southeast Asia.

The two sides held a frank exchange of views on how to strengthen bilateral ties in fields such as investment, trade, labor, energy and food security.

H.E. Tan Sri Dato’ Johari  expressed Malaysia’s willingness to work harder to encourage more Malaysian investment in Cambodia, and to protect the rights and wellbeing of Cambodian migrant workers in Malaysia.

The Malaysian Speaker arrived at Phnom Penh International Airport earlier Thursday on a three-day official visit.

H.E. Tan Sri Dato’ Johari 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 Rathsaphea Thipadei was to host a dinner for the Malaysian Speaker in the evening.

On Friday, H.E. Tan Sri Dato’ Johari was scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, President of the Senate and former Prime Minister.