PUTRAJAYA, Oct 8 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today hosted an official luncheon in honour of visiting Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing at the Seri Perdana Complex here.

Min Aung Hlaing, who arrived in Malaysia yesterday for a two-day official visit, was welcomed by Anwar at the Prime Minister’s official residence at 11.35am.

He was also accorded a cultural welcome featuring the Tingkah Pusaka dance performed by 36 dancers from Istana Budaya, as well as a “Welcome to Malaysia” presentation by 116 students from Sekolah Menengah Sains Selangor, Sekolah Menengah Agama Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi and Sekolah Kebangsaan Presint 16 (1).

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Human Resource Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan and Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani were also present at the luncheon.

They were joined by members of the Myanmar Cabinet as well as senior government officials from both countries.

Earlier, Anwar and Min Aung Hlaing held a four-eye meeting followed by delegation talks to discuss bilateral relations and matters of mutual interest.

At a joint press conference later, both leaders said Malaysia and Myanmar had agreed to strengthen bilateral ties by focusing on people-centric cooperation, including in trade, investment, education, agri-food, energy, healthcare and capacity building.

They also said Myanmar had agreed to accept the repatriation of a large number of its nationals from all ethnic groups who are in Malaysia illegally, on a voluntary, dignified and safe basis. — Bernama