As Chinese President 习近平 is hosted to a royal banquet at National Palace, what’s on the menu becomes another focus of attention apart from sweeping US tariffs . This as both countries pledge to deepen not just trade and investment ties but also people to people relations.

Simple and nice 😋. Menu for 🇲🇾🇨🇳 state banquet 🍽️

The state banquet has ended . President Xi and his entourage are leaving the National Palace. Bilateral meeting with PM Anwar scheduled to begin after 430 pm in Putrajaya followed by signing of MOUs and Agreements

In downtown KL, a 360 degree larger than life LED portrait of visiting Chinese President lit up the midnight sky. In Xi, PM Anwar says he sees hope and certainty against the unpredictable geoeconomic challenges unleashed by US President Donald Trump. All in 31 MOUs, LOIs signed

PM Anwar said he’s had a frank & constructive discussion with Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing Thursday night . One that focused on the urgent humanitarian needs of the people including deploying a field hospital as well as the importance of returning the country to normalcy.

Malaysian military dispatched a field hospital team comprising 69 members including doctors, engineers & security personnel. They’ll be based in Sagaing for a month to carry out humanitarian work. This followed last night meeting between PM Anwar & General Min Aung Hlaing in BKK

PM Anwar hailed both meetings as successful. Last night he met SAC Min Aung Hlaing, this morning he had a 40 min virtual meeting with U Mahn Win Khaing Than of National Unity Government (NUG). Q is can the ceasefire hold to facilitate humanitarian access to all those in need ?

Let’s hope the ceasefire can hold and humanitarian assistance can reach as many victims as possible in disaster ravaged Myanmar 🙏. Asean parliamentarians on human rights are calling for ASEAN led team of observers to monitor the ceasefire and the delivery of aid .

Malaysia China reciprocally extended visa free arrangements up to 90 days to boost tourism for the next five years with the option to mutually renew it for another five years. The visa liberalization plan was signed during President Xi’s visit last week .

Back to back meetings with world leaders this week for PM Anwar as he received Maldives President Dr Mohd Muizzu this morning . On Friday he’s scheduled to meet visiting Kosovo PM Albin Kurti and hold talks with Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif in Putrajaya after that .

Malaysia hopes to revive regional freight rail service to spur intra ASEAN trade . youtu.be/bYPBie-MiMw?si… via YouTube channelnewsasia.com/watch/malaysia…

Malaysia Thailand to set up joint ministerial committee to look into issues concerning transport connectivity incl addressing operational constraints & asset procurement. This as both countries set to revive direct train service between Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok later this year.

Apart from resuming rail service between KL~BKK, Golok~Rantau Panjang, Malaysia’s transport minister Anthony Loke said he also urged Thai counterpart DPM Suriya to recognize digital license and facilitate goods in transit. Both met in BKK Friday and aimed to sign MOU in 3 months.

PM Anwar speaking at special parliamentary sitting to discuss the impact of US reciprocal tariffs unveiled six broad measures incl RM1 bil govt guarantee and RM500mil financing scheme to ease cash flows of exporters in particular SMEs affected.

PM Anwar also expressed optimism that the Trump administration may lower the 24% reciprocal tariff imposed on Malaysia. The country he stressed has the fiscal space to weather the geoeconomic uncertainties .

Malaysia will not compromise on the country’s strategic interests such as bumiputra policy, local vendor requirement etc in the tariff negotiations with US Trade Rep says PM Anwar at the one day special parliamentary sitting .

Beginning tomorrow May 6, all non preferential Certificates of Origin for shipment to the US will only be issued by the Ministry of Investment, Trade & Industry (MITI) and not by business councils, chambers or associations. This as Msia tightens control vs transshipment offenses

Newly appointed chief negotiator Mastura Ahmad who’s MITI deputy secgen will begin negotiations with assistant US Trade Representative in accordance with parameters agreed starting tomorrow .

He is contesting . Minister of Economy Rafizi Ramli who’s PKR deputy president welcomes anyone including Saifuddin and Nurul Izzah who may wish to challenge him in the upcoming party central leadership elections .

Ok she’s in. It’s not nepotism, insisted Nurul Izzah as she threw her hat into the ring. Her love & loyalty towards the party is sacrosanct she said and she’s prepared to shoulder the responsibility to strengthen grassroots machinery in the 50 marginal seats ahead of GE16 .