KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 — Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia, Dr Makio Miyagawa has congratulated Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for his astounding victory in the 14th general election and appointment as the prime minister.

In his congratulatory letter to Dr Mahathir, Dr Miyagawa said he was looking forward to further develop bilateral relations and achieved peace and prosperity in Asia Pacific region together with the newly formed government.

"The government and the people of Japan have never forgot the cordial bond with you Tun (Dr Mahathir), and the Malaysian people. I am very much looking forward to congratulating you (Dr Mahathir) in person,” he said.

In his letter, Dr Miyagawa said he was deeply impressed with Dr Mahathir’s true passion for Malaysia and its people demonstrated during the election campaign.

He said there was a close and multi-layered economic bond through active trade and investment, as well as cultural and people-to-people exchanges between Japan and Malaysia based on Dr Mahathir’s renowned Look East Policy.

"Once again allow me to extend my sincere congratulations to you and the people of Malaysia,” he said.

Dr Miyagawa has also assured his full cooperation, both officially and personally to the government under Dr Mahathir’s stalwart leadership, and would continue to maintain and strengthen the warm bilateral relations between both countries.

Dr Mahathir has been sworn in as the seventh Prime Minister before the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V, at Istana Negara yesterday, following Pakatan Harapan’s victory in the 14th general election.

The premier, who is also the Pakatan Harapan chairman created history when he took the oath of office as the prime minister of Malaysia for the second time, at the age of 92.

Dr Mahathir first became the prime minister in 1981 at the age of 56, and was the country’s fourth prime minister then. — Bernama