President Marcos on Sunday, Aug. 11, sent his “cordial birthday wishes” to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, whom he called a “trusted friend” who’s “more than just a neighbor in ASEAN.”
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. and Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (Ali Vicoy/MANILA BULLETIN)
ASEAN stands for Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
“To my dear friend, Prime Minister Anwar, I am so happy to be able to greet you on your special day. We have known each other for some years now. Even before we assumed our roles as fellow leaders in ASEAN,” President Marcos said on a Youtube video as quoted by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
“Our friendship has helped make the challenges of leadership more bearable. Sometimes I dare say, even enjoyable. For me, you are more than just a neighbor in ASEAN, you are a trusted friend with whom I share many fond memories,” he added.
Born on Aug. 10, 1947, the Malaysian Prime Minister celebrated his 77th birthday on Saturday.
Marcos also commended the Malaysian leader for his dedication to his country as he recognized their respective leading roles in the region and in the international community.
For him, their “shared vision, challenges, and success” are a source of inspiration.
“At this point in our lives, we have been charged to lead our respective nations and play important roles in this region and in the wider international community. Your unwavering dedication to Malaysia and our shared vision for the region have been a source of inspiration,” the President said.
“Together we have addressed numerous challenges and celebrated some successes. Much has been done, yet much is left to do. And I am glad that I have a dear friend with me as we navigate the uncertainties that lie ahead. From sharing the microphone at karaoke night to sharing the floor at the bilateral and multilateral levels, we’ve come some way,” he added.
Noting the learnings he and Prime Minister Anwar shared to steer their respective countries towards peace and prosperity, the Chief Executive emphasized how he values the bonds, wisdom, kindness and strength the Malaysian Prime Minister shared with him.
“I’m grateful for every opportunity that we have had through the years to share ideas and to learn from each other's experiences as we continue to steer our nation and the region towards a future of peace and prosperity before our peoples," Marcos stated.
“On a personal note, I want to emphasize how much I value the bonds that our families share. Your wisdom, kindness, and strength have been invaluable to me. And I look forward to more years of friendship and cooperation," he added.