United States (US) House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi accompanied by a congressional delegation arrived here on Tuesday as part of an official visit to four Asian countries.
The special plane carrying Pelosi and her delegation landed at the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Subang base.
The arrival of Pelosi was greeted by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon. Also present was US Ambassador to Malaysia Brian D. McFeeters.
It was Pelosi’s maiden visit to Malaysia. Participated in the visit with the chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives, Gregory Meeks.
Pelosi is the number three leader on the list of presidential successors and the only woman to have served as Speaker of the house.
Kuala Lumpur is Pelosi’s second stop after visiting Singapore on Monday before going to South Korea and Japan.
Her visit is the focus of many parties who are waiting to see if Taiwan is also on his tour schedule.
While here, she is expected to pay a courtesy call on the Speaker of the House of Representatives Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun at the Parliament building at noon before attending a lunch with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob at a prominent hotel here.
“The visit will, among other things, focus on issues of common security, economic partnership, and democratic governance in the Indo-Pacific region,” quoted a press release from Pelosi’s office.
However, Pelosi’s office did not say whether she would visit Taiwan amid speculation that the island was also included in her visit agenda, which is said to invite China’s ire. If the speculation comes true, it is considered a positive signal to the pro-independence camp on the island.
According to China’s Foreign Ministry, if Pelosi visits Taiwan, Beijing will take firm measures to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the US should bear full responsibility for all consequences arising from the visit.
