Hectic timetable in store for Najib at Davos

Najib (left) has meetings with over 10 heads of states scheduled in Davos. — Reuters pic

DAVOS, Jan 23 — Despite freezing temperatures, Datuk Seri Najib Razak will be kept warm at the ski resort here given the tight schedule throughout his participation at this year’s prestigious World Economic Forum (WEF) beginning Wednesday.

Najib, who will be attending the four-day WEF as prime minister for the first time, has more than 10 courtesy calls on foreign leaders, one-on-one meetings with business chieftains, as well as bilateral meetings lined up.

Malaysian Ambassador to Switzerland Datuk Ho May Yong, said the prime minister was invited by WEF executive chairman Prof Klaus Schwab to attend the forum to share Malaysia’s transformation progress.

“The prime minister decided to accept the invitation,” she told Malaysian journalists covering the event late yesterday at the resort in below freezing temperatures, cold winds and foggy conditions.

The WEF annual meeting is a much-anticipated forum that brings together influential leaders from the realm of politics, business and civil society to discuss a wide range of global issues.

Malaysia supports Fatah-Hamas reconciliation

Friend in need: Najib and Rosmah accompanied by Haniyeh (left) being introduced to Hamas Cabinet ministers in Gaza. — Bernama

 

GAZA CITY: Malaysia has offered to help unite rival Palestinian groups Fatah and Hamas.

The first Malaysian Prime Minister to visit Palestine, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak expressed support for a reconciliation plan to end the division between the two Palestinian movements.

“A unity government is within reach,” the Prime Minister said after being conferred a honorary doctorate by the al-Aqsa University in East Jerusalem yesterday.

He said that peace and prosperity could only be achieved through unity, a belief strengthened by Malaysia's success in facilitating talks in the southern Philippine to end four decades of conflict that had killed over 120,000 people.

“Should it be needed, we stand ready to offer you the benefit of that experience. Malaysia, always a friend of the Palestine people, is willing to help facilitate the reconciliation plan in whichever way we can,” he said.

A split between the two groups in 2007 led to the West Bank being governed by Fatah and the Gaza Strip by Hamas. The two sides signed a reconciliation plan sponsored by Egypt in May last year.

Najib, who was in Gaza on a humanitarian visit, said his commitment to a peaceful resolution to the Palestinian issue was clear.

“We wish to see an independent, unified Palestine, enjoying the peace and security which all the world's peoples deserve.”

Gaza: Najib given red carpet welcome

From the moment Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak crossed the Rafah border into Gaza from Egypt, something in the weather foretold that it was going to be an extra special visit.

Najib was given a red carpet welcome, complete with a  military band playing the Malaysian and the Palestinian  anthems.

After inspecting the guard of honour, Najib accompanied  by Palestinian Prime Minister in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh addressed an open air packed press conference outside the  immigration building.

What came after the prelude was something unexpected.

The Hamas host took Najib and his delegation on a fast  tracked tour of destruction sites in Gaza.

A formula one driver would be proud as the convoy which  carried both prime ministers passed through narrow and  dusty lanes at breakneck speed.

Along the way, the programme book was thrown out of the  window.

Najib was taken .to several places that were not in the  original itinerary, mostly he saw first hand the destruction of  houses, a stadium and mosque.

The weather was getting warmer and the host was  adamant that the Malaysian leader and his delegation would  see for themselves the naked aggression that the Israeli  brought upon the hapless Palestinian people.