19 April 2012 – The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur reaffirmed ties with the Malaysian Parliament's Lower House (Dewan Rakyat) when Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya made a courtesy call on Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima Pandikar Amin Mulia, at the Parlimen (Parliament) Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur on April 18.

"Now is an opportune time to boost relations between the Philippines and Malaysia, particularly between our respective business sectors," Ambassador Malaya said.

"There has recently been an upsurge in two-way investments, notably Petron Corporation's acquisition of Esso Bhd. Malaysia, Malaysia's second biggest bank CIMB buying a 60 percent equity in the Philippine Bank of Commerce, and Maybank's reported interest in bidding for the Philippine Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank," the Ambassador noted.

The Ambassador also invited the Speaker to the Philippines-Malaysia Investment Partnership Forum on May 29 in Kuala Lumpur. The embassy is organizing the event together with the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute, the alumni association of Malaysian graduates of the Asian Institute of Management in Makati, and the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry.

The forum will highlight investment opportunities for Malaysian companies in Mindanao, which the Speaker warmly welcomed.

Speaker Pandikar is scheduled to go on a working visit to the Philippines on April 24 to 27, which includes meetings with Vice President Jejomar C. Binay and other senior officials.

The Speaker, meanwhile, underscored the pivotal role of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) in developing not just the sub-region but also boosting bilateral economic relations between the Philippines and Malaysia.

Before assuming his current position, Speaker Pandikar was previously a Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, and served as the Speaker of the Sabah State Assembly from 1986 to 1988.

Accompanying Ambassador Malaya during the call were Second Secretary Gonaranao Musor and Embassy Political Attaché Atty. Norren Joy Calip.