Malaysian minister, speaker visit Duterte in Davao

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Malaysian Deputy Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi visited President Duterte in Davao City last Saturday night.

In barely a week, Duterte is set to go on a state visit to Kuala Lumpur.

Accompanying Hamidi was Speaker of  Parliament Pandikar Amin Mulia.

Duterte welcomed Hamidi and Mulia at Davao International Airport. They arrived on a private jet from Kuala Lumpur.

He had to cut short his engagement at the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao   compound in Cotabato City Saturday afternoon so he could have enough time to personally meet the two Malaysian officials at the airport.

Duterte announced Hamidi’s arrival during a speech in the launching of the ARMM projects.

Presidential adviser on OFWs Abdullah Mama-o told The STAR the visit was purely personal.

He was at the dinner that Duterte tendered for Hamidi and Mulia.

The trip of Hamidi and Mulia to Davao City could not be considered an official visit as it was only a “meeting of friends,” he added.

Mama-o brushed aside speculations that Prime Minister Najib Razak sent the two   Malaysian officials to relay a message to Duterte.

“It was purely personal and a visit between friends,” he said. “Duterte and the Malaysian officials have been friends for a time already.” 

Duterte tendered a dinner of grilled tuna and other Filipino dishes for Hamidi and Mulia at the Matina Enclaves Residences, where he also holds office and meets visitors at times.

Mama-o told The STAR that it would be best to wait until Duterte meets with Najib when he goes on a state visit to Malaysia on May 9.