Malaysia hopes for better US ties under Obama

Malaysia is looking forward to better relations between “the United States and the rest of the world” under the administration of the just-sworn-in President Barack Obama.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Kuala Lumpur was also hoping that the new US President would take on a “consultative approach when dealing with the problems of the world.”

“We hope to see the US getting other states into its discussions and not acting unilaterally or only with those in the coalition of the willing,” he said when congratulating Obama on his inauguration yesterday.

Najib said Malaysia hoped to see better relations between the United States and multilateral bodies like the United Nations, under the new administration.

He added that there should be a different approach by the United States in dealing with global crises.

“If during (President) Bush’s time, we saw a lot of ‘hard power’, which was using military force, being used to solve the world’s problems, we hope President Obama can take on a combination of both soft and hard power to tackle issues,” he said.

On another matter, Najib said Umno would have to change its “values and image” if the party wants to win over the people’s hearts again.

He said the attitude of its leaders would have to be reassessed in order for voters to like the party.

“This is what we have to do. To win over their hearts, they must see Umno in a more positive light. We have to make the changes,” he said.

Asked how he planned to bring about the changes, Najib said: “When the time comes, I will reveal the changes.”

- The Star (Malaysia)