Prime Minister of Malaysia Dr. Mahathir Mohamed has accepted the invitation of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih to visit Maldives. The Malaysian prime minister accepted the invitation in response to the letter presented by former President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom.
During the meeting, upon request of President Solih, former President Maumoon shared with Mahathir the visa difficulties faced to Maldivians. Maumoon also expressed hope the visa difficulties will be solved via diplomatic discussions between Maldives and Malaysia.
Meanwhile, during the meeting, Mahathir highlighted the political sphere of both Maldives and Malaysia are similar. Both Maumoon and Mahathir widely discussed politics of both countries.
Former President Maumoon travelled to Malaysia on an invitation from the Malaysian prime minister. He is scheduled to arrive back in Maldives on February 21. Maumoon is accompanied by senior members of MRM, including Aminath Nadira and Abdulla Kamaaluddeen.
Maumoon and his son Faris Maumoon met with Mahathir late last year, while they were in Malaysia. Maumoon also met him on several occasions when he previously served as prime minister from 1981 to 2003.