Spreading the cheer: Duterte to visit Malaysia and Brunei before ASEAN summit

Before President Rodrigo Duterte attends his first Asean summit, to be held in Laos in the first week of September, he is paying Malaysia and Brunei a visit.

Most likely, Malaysia would be his first state visit, following an invitation from Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak — not exactly kosher, if you ask us.

Najib’s administration has been tainted by accusations that he transferred almost US$700 million of state funds into his personal account.

He supposedly used this money to purchase luxury real estate in Beverly Hills, London, New York and London, as well as artworks by Monet and Van Gogh, and even a Bombardier jet.

In any case, according to presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella, “the ground is being prepared” for Duterte’s Malaysian visit. Fighting terrorism and economic issues may be among the two leaders’ talking points.

No date has been set for his Kuala Lumpur visit, though Duterte will definitely be in Brunei on Sep 4 to discuss the plight of overseas Filipino workers there, according to Philstar.com.

He will visit proceed to Indonesia after attending the Asean summit.

The Philippines will assume leadership of the regional body in 2017.



Reader Interactions

Leave A Reply


BECOME A COCO+ MEMBER

Support local news and join a community of like-minded
“Coconauts” across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong.

Join Now
Coconuts TV
Our latest and greatest original videos
Subscribe on