KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has effectively neutralised any influence that the opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim may have had on the policies of the United States, Malay daily Utusan Malaysia has argued.

In an op-ed column the pro-government daily said Najib’s openness, handling of the economy and foreign policy has earned him respect.

The paper’s pronouncements came just as US president Barack Obama is making his first-ever official visit to the country.

“Despite Anwar Ibrahim’s efforts over the years to lobby and smear Malaysia’s reputation, the US administration is increasingly confident in Najib’s leadership,” the paper said.

Many Malaysians will be relieved to hear that Obama decided against meeting Anwar during his current visit, it added.

Unlike previous US leaders, Obama has seen it fit not to pressure Malaysia on any issues, the paper said.

Utusan’s claims come even as rights groups urged Obama to pressure Malaysia on human rights issues.

Amnesty International USA said yesterday that Obama president must “send a clear message” to Malaysian authorities that increasing restrictions on free speech and on-going human rights violations by the police are “unacceptable and incompatible with the country’s human rights obligations”.