VZCZCXRO2240
PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHKL #0524/01 1811003
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 301003Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2913
INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY 2794
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 0637
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KUALA LUMPUR 000524 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR EAP/MTS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL KPAO MY
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: PRESIDENT OBAMA'S PHONE CALL TO 
PRIME MINISTER NAJIB 
 
Summary and Comment 
------------------- 
 
¶1. (U) Local press in Malaysia gave broad, positive coverage 
of the June 26 phone call between President Obama and 
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.  The media reports 
highlighted what the PM described as the President's positive 
tone and praise for Malaysia, while also mentioning their 
discussions about the economy, globalization, and the fate of 
the two Malaysian prisoners held at Guantanamo Bay.  There 
have been few editorials on the conversation, and thus far no 
major political figures, apart from PM Najib, have publicly 
commented on the phone conversation.  The Ambassador gave an 
interview June 29 to TV3, Malaysia,s largest television 
station, at their request for U.S. reaction to the call. 
 
PM Najib Very Upbeat About Call 
------------------------------- 
 
¶2. (U) The phone call between President Obama and Prime 
Minister Najib on the evening of June 26 made major TV news 
headlines on June 27, and all major dailies and several 
online news sites carried stories on the exchange.  All 
subsequent articles originated from one article published by 
Malaysia's government-influenced news service, Bernama, to 
whom the PM gave an exclusive interview immediately following 
the phone call.  Headlined "Obama Praises Malaysia says 
Najib," the article provided a brief synopsis of the 
conversation between the PM and POTUS as related by the PM to 
reporters during his address to a group of entrepreneurs 
attending the Malay Chamber of Commerce Malaysia dinner on 
June 26, just following the phone call. 
 
¶3. (U) The PM mentioned that President Obama had praised 
Malaysia's uniqueness and advantages.  According to Najib, 
the President told him that he should be proud of Malaysia 
"because you are a modern, progressive Muslim country, able 
to manage a multi-ethnic and multi-religious society."  Najib 
also said that the relationship between Malaysia and the 
United States was important as Malaysia is now moving into a 
new era in the world economy involving not only the 
globalization process but also the "New world Economy." 
Najib added: "When we are faced with the challenge of the 
network economy, we need then to strengthen our position by 
networking with others.  When we talk about networking at the 
global level, Malaysia has a uniqueness and advantage.  These 
represent Malaysia's strength, as we can claim to be one of 
those countries which are a gateway to other countries." 
 
¶4. (U) Najib subsequently wrote June 27 in his blog, 
www.1Malaysia.com.my, that "I explained to him (the 
President) that Malaysia shares significant common grounds 
with the United States of America in that we strongly believe 
in the ideals and principles of democracy, including 
accountability and transparency.  I also spoke about the 
initiation of the 1Malaysia concept and how the sense of 
togetherness and belonging will help Malaysians move forward 
with a common purpose."  Najib added "I expressed that I was 
looking forward to working closely with him.  President Obama 
graciously acknowledged my ability to serve as prime minister 
based on my extensive background in the public service." 
 
All Media Reports Positive 
-------------------------- 
 
¶5. (U) In other headlines in English, Malay, and Chinese 
language dailies, the phone call between the two heads of 
state was characterized as a "salute" from President Obama to 
PM Najib, with prominent mention of Najib's invitation to the 
U.S. President to visit Malaysia.  The New Straits Times 
quoted the PM as saying that the phone conversation left him 
with "a sense of optimism towards our relationship with the 
United States of America," and that he looks forward to 
renewing Malaysia's ties with the United States under 
President Obama's administration and hope to explore 
solutions and opportunities to mutually benefit both 
countries in the immediate and long term. 
 
¶6. (U) Several local dailies published an article by Bernama 
focused on the issue of President Obama's willingness to 
consider Malaysia's request to return two Guantanamo 
detainees of Malaysian nationality.  The PM told Bernama 
after receiving the call from Obama that he had conveyed to 
him Malaysia's willingness to accept the two detainees and 
that their detention could continue in Malaysia.  He said 
President Obama welcomed this offer and told him that he 
 
KUALA LUMP 00000524  002 OF 002 
 
 
would relay Malaysia's request to the security agencies 
involved.  "I told him we would detain them in Malaysia but 
would treat them according to international norms and in a 
humanitarian manner," PM Najib was quoted as saying. 
 
¶7. (U) As of Tuesday, June 30, only a limited commentary 
referencing the phone call had appeared in local press. 
China Press on June 28 published an article that gave a 
positive view of the significance of the conversation between 
the two leaders: "Following the communication between Najib 
and Obama, it is hoped that the strained relations between 
Malaysia and the U.S. would be mended and strengthened. 
During the Mahathir era, the former Prime Minister used to 
condemn the U.S. for its global hegemony, resulting in an 
impasse between Malaysia and the U.S. for a long period of 
time.  As the world enters an era of globalization, there are 
practically no boundaries between one country and another. 
Thus, the forging of good relations between countries of the 
world community is indispensable.  It is far better to settle 
an issue through negotiation rather than condemning another 
nation for their faults.  As such, we hope Obama could visit 
Malaysia to see personally the significance of our 
multi-racial country, thus creating a new chapter in 
U.S.-Malaysia relations and, most of all, forging a closer 
rapport between the two countries in terms of bilateral trade 
and investment." 
 
¶8. (U) A subsequent article published by Bernama on June 29 
stated that the telephone conversation between PM Najib and 
President Obama marked a new milestone in political and 
economic relations between the two countries.  Bernama 
interviewed Ahmad Ikram Abdullah, a fellow at Malaysia's 
Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS), who 
stated that the phone conversation is evidence of Obama's 
seriousness in enhancing ties with Malaysia.  Ahmad stated " 
It generates positive vibes and is indicative of a fresh bid 
towards building a new era in bilateral relations."  Ahmad 
said Obama's call showed his humility and sincerity in trying 
to improve U.S. ties with Malaysia.  Another notable point of 
the conversation, he said, was Obama's recognition of 
Malaysia as an example of a progressive Muslim-majority 
country.  "It is a reflection of Obama's recent address to 
the Muslim world in Cairo," Ahmad added. 
KEITH