Following the ASEAN summit, Albanese met with the prime minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim and the pair held a brief joint press conference.

Anwar opened with some glowing praise:

I’ve said this earlier that Prime Minister Albanese has been a good friend. You’ve been very supportive of our ventures and my meetings with him have been very fruitful, very candid, very open and both of us have really committed to enhance bilateral relations in terms of serious trade, investment ventures and this decision of Monash University to operate from TRX City the prestigious area is something very impressive. It signifies a clear commitment on the part of Australia to take Malaysia very seriously and now with the bank and the port facility and I commend him for this commitment and support.

He promised to come again early next year, and both of us will visit the university. And as a good politician, he honours his promise. I have no doubt about that. That’s why he won comfortably in the last elections. Convincingly.

He then went to Australia’s position on Gaza:

I’m also thankful that you’ve taken a strong position on cessation of hostilities in Gaza. Here, people are very passionate and I’ve been to Australia, people also very, very strong. And I have also had discussions with the President Donald Trump on this to make sure that this first phase is effective and then proceed on the more comprehensive solution to the conflict, including two-state solution because that’s to me particular because in this days and age you talk about democratic transition, talk mobilisation, multilateralism and you condone these killings is just totally unacceptable and hypocritical.

So I do express my appreciation to Penny Wong earlier and now to you that you take that position. At least to stop these hostilities and stop the killings and get humanitarian assistance in and work towards a more comprehensive solution.

So thank you again, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for being here and more important as a friend, as a true friend we have committed to come again early next year.