UK election: Malaysian PM Anwar congratulates Labour Party’s Starmer on landslide win

“I look forward to working with Starmer and his team to develop a new strategic relationship, built on inclusivity, equality, mutual respect, people-to-people connection and a shared vision for the future,” he wrote on Facebook on Friday.

Starmer is set to become the prime minister after Labour won over 400 seats in the 650-seat British parliament.

Labour’s win brought an end to Conservative Party rule after 14 years.

The partnership between Malaysia and Britain, added Anwar, is an enduring one, woven through history and strengthened by the close bonds of kith and kin.

“Britain’s participation in the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) broadens the horizons for our economic partnership.

“The Five Power Defence Arrangements serve as a cornerstone for our mutual security, enhancing regional stability and fostering closer defence cooperation,” he said, referring to the bilateral defence relationships established by a series of multilateral agreements between Commonwealth members, including Malaysia and Britain.

The CPTPP is a trade agreement between a group of countries including Malaysia, with which Britain has signed an accession protocol in 2023 to join once this has been ratified by all parties.