Hailed for flying to Mongolia on a commercial airline for her maiden overseas trip due to cost factor instead of flying with the government plane, which could be costly, and staying in a normal hotel room.
Dr Wan Azizah is heading home today after a three-day trip in Mongolia’s capital to attend the Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR).
“It is a great learning experience for me, my first exposure in representing Malaysia overseas,” she said in wrapping up her visit to Mongolia.
She said Malaysia had gained a lot from its participation in the AMCDRR in the area of disaster risk reduction.
“We are getting ideas, (building) networking with Asian contacts is important. Malaysia can learn a lot and offer a lot” she said.
AMCDRR is a regional platform aimed at building and strengthening the region’s disaster prevention, preparedness and capacity to fight disaster.
Over 3,000 representatives from the Asia Pacific countries convened in the Mongolian capital for the four-day conference which ends tomorrow (Friday).
Dr Wan Azizah decided to fly to Mongolia on a commercial airline for her maiden overseas trip instead of flying with the government plane, which could be costly, and stayed in a normal hotel room.
Questioned whether other cabinet ministers would be required to follow her ‘prudent spending’ during their overseas trip, Dr Wan Azizah said it was an advice by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in view of the financial problems facing the country.
Renewed ties strained by Altantuya murder
The visit also seems to have rejuvenated bilateral ties between Malaysia and Mongolia.
This follows Mongolian President Khaltmaagiin Battulga’s impromptu invitation for a meeting with Dr Wan Azizah yesterday.
“I was asked to have an audience with the Mongolian president at the State Palace,’’ Dr Wan Azizah said.
Although diplomatic ties between Mongolia and Malaysia was set up in 1971, there has been very little interaction or exchange between both countries over the years.
The relationship became strained after the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu in 2006.
Dr Wan Azizah, who left to meet the president after attending the conference, said it was important for Malaysia to be seen doing the right thing in connection with Altantuya’s murder.
“If there is any course for a review (of the case) or anything, I think we can consider,’’ said Dr Wan Azizah.