KUALA LUMPUR, June 10 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has congratulated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his historic milestone of becoming the country’s longest-serving elected prime minister.

In a Facebook post today, Anwar said the achievement reflects Modi’s years of dedicated public service and leadership in advancing India’s development, prosperity and standing on the global stage.

“Heartiest congratulations to PM Modi on this historic milestone of becoming India’s longest-serving elected prime minister,” he said.

Modi has been serving as Prime Minister since May 2014.

Anwar said Malaysia values its close and longstanding friendship with India and looks forward to continuing cooperation to strengthen bilateral ties and expand opportunities for the peoples of both countries.

“I wish PM Modi continued success and the people of India continued peace, progress and prosperity,” he said. — Bernama

KAZAN, June 17 — Finalisation of the Asean-Russia Strategic Programme on Trade and Investment Cooperation 2026-2035 is a shot in the arm for the next leap in economic ties, but an enabling environment is key to turning them into reality, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today.

The programme, set to be adopted later this year, provides the roadmap for the next phase of economic relations between the 11-member bloc and Russia, focusing on trade and investment, emerging technologies, and climate resilience.

“But frameworks alone are not enough. Governments can create the enabling conditions; they can establish policies, remove barriers, and facilitate collaboration.

“Yet it is businesses, investors, entrepreneurs, researchers, and innovators who will ultimately transform aspirations into outcomes,” the Prime Minister said during the Asean-Russia Business Forum.

The forum was attended by more than 400 corporate and business leaders from Russia and Asean member states.

Anwar said forums like the one held today are crucial for building connections, partnerships, and ideas that enable cooperation to move beyond rhetoric and deliver tangible results.

He emphasised that Asean remains firmly committed to a rules-based international trading system, and that it continues to believe that economic progress is best advanced through cooperation rather than confrontation, and through engagement rather than exclusion.

The Prime Minister also urged Asean and Russia to guard against allowing these concerns to erode openness and connectivity. 

“Economic resilience should complement international cooperation, not replace it,” he said.

Anwar stressed that the multilateral trading system remains an indispensable pillar of global prosperity. 

“Yet it must continue to evolve in response to contemporary realities while preserving its fundamental purpose: providing stability, predictability, and opportunity for all nations, regardless of size,” he said.

In this regard, he said, Asean and Russia can contribute meaningfully by strengthening practical cooperation based on mutual respect, openness, and shared interests. 

“By building stronger links between our businesses, institutions, and our people, we can help foster a more resilient, inclusive, and prosperous global economy.

“The past 35 years have provided a strong foundation for Asean-Russia relations. The task before us now is to ensure that this relationship remains relevant to the realities of a changing world,” he said.

He added that Asean and Russia must strengthen connectivity, deepen economic cooperation, and seize opportunities emerging from technological transformation and economic change.

“Let us transform goodwill into partnerships, partnerships into projects, and projects into tangible benefits for our people.

“If we succeed, the next chapter of Asean-Russia relations will be defined not merely by stronger economic ties, but by a shared contribution to stability, resilience, and prosperity across our regions,” he said.

Anwar is in Kazan, the capital and largest city of Tatarstan, Russia, to attend the Asean-Russia Commemorative Summit from June 17-18.

During the two-day working visit, the Prime Minister is also expected to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. — Bernama

KUCHING, June 21 — The handover of Bintulu Port’s regulatory authority to the Sarawak state government is among the key achievements in the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak) Datuk Mustapha Sakmud.

He said the move not only recognises Sarawak’s rights as Malaysia’s founding partner but also demonstrates that MA63 can be implemented in a spirit of cooperation, resulting in a win-win situation for both Sarawak and the Federal Government.

“Bintulu Port is no longer just the country’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) export hub; it is evolving into an industrial, logistics and green energy centre that will play an important role in the economic landscape of Malaysia and the Asia-Pacific region.

“Bintulu’s strategic location, coupled with Sarawak’s advantage in renewable energy resources, particularly hydroelectric power, makes it increasingly attractive to investors shifting towards low-carbon operations. This development has the potential to position Sarawak as a key hub for green industries, clean energy and high-value manufacturing in the region,” he said in a statement today.

Mustapha said the implementation of MA63 should not be viewed as a loss of power by the Federal Government, but rather as a strengthening of the Malaysian federation through the recognition of the rights, roles and true potential of Sabah and Sarawak as the country’s founding partners.

The statement was issued following a cheque handover ceremony marking the change in status of Bintulu Port from a federal port to a state port, which took place in Bintulu today.

The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. — Bernama