RAMAPHOSA BIDS FAREWELL AFTER FIRST OFFICIAL VISIT TO MALAYSIA

SEPANG, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa departed for home tonight, concluding a four-day official visit to Malaysia that emphasised the long-standing friendship and shared values between the two nations.

He left the Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 9.30 pm following a red-carpet send-off at the Bunga Raya Complex, where a guard of honour was mounted by the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Chang Lih Kang was present to bid farewell to the president and his delegation.

Ramaphosa, who attended the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits as a Guest of the Chair, was in Malaysia at the invitation of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

It was his first official visit to Malaysia since assuming office in February 2018.

During his visit, Ramaphosa was conferred an Honorary Doctorate in International Relations by Universiti Malaya, a recognition of his lifelong dedication to democracy, human rights and global diplomacy.

In his public lecture, Ramaphosa described the situation in Gaza as “genocide” following decades of dispossession, repression and oppression faced by its people.

He also reaffirmed the close Malaysia-South Africa ties, describing it as a “principled solidarity” that continues to guide cooperation in various fields.

Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair for 2025, is currently hosting over 30 world leaders, including from ASEAN member states, to deepen engagement and cooperation while addressing regional and global issues of mutual concern.

-- BERNAMA