Malaysia-Australia Ties Strong, Says Abdullah

MELBOURNE, May 3 (Bernama) -- Relations between Malaysia and Australia have continued to remain strong despite them having differing opinions on certain political issues, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said here today.
These political issues, however, did not interfere with other aspects of the bilateral relations between Kuala Lumpur and Canberra, he said when replying to a question from an Australian reporter on relations between the two countries.
Abdullah spoke to reporters after jointly opening the "Nyonya Kebaya: Women's Costumes From Malaysia" exhibition with Janette Howard, wife of Australian Prime Minister John Howard, at the Immigration Museum, here.
Relations between Malaysia and Australia were strained under former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who is claimed to have berated Australia as a racist lackey of a culturally-imperalistic United States. The situation worsened when the then Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating called Dr Mahathir a recalcitrant in 1993.
The bilateral relations improved after Abdullah took over as prime minister in 2003, and made the first official visit by a Malaysian prime minister to Australia after 21 years. The visit was reciprocated by Australian Prime Minister John Howard in November last year.
Asked whether he was meeting with Howard, Abdullah said "Howard has indicated to see me."
On whether he was consciously trying to improve ties with Howard, Abdullah said: "Whatever we do, we must be conscious. If you are not conscious of what you are doing, it will not turn out to be good."
Asked whether former Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was finished as a politician after his Parti Keadilan Rakyat lost in the Ijok state by-election recently, Abdullah said he was not a force.

tunku : yea, let us put our policies, dignity aside and just be "yes sir" to others.malaysia has made tremendous achievement in australia since 2003, for example a nasi kandar shop opened there recently and now kebaya exhibition.