KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia will contact the Chinese government to discuss if it can extend the terms of the Giant Panda loan agreement which expires this year, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He is optimistic that the Chinese government will give due consideration to the proposal as both countries have established strong and enduring diplomatic relations over the years.

”The giant pandas are due to be returned. I think I will take it up with the Chinese government, President Xi Jinping, to see some mechanism (for) whether we can extend the period of the panda stay in Malaysia.

“Knowing our excellent relations, I am rather optimistic that they will give due consideration and support to our proposal,” he said in his speech when officiating Zoo Negara’s 60th Anniversary celebration at Dataran Dato’ Ismail Hutson here.

Also present were Deputy Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii, China’s Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and Zoo Negara deputy president Datuk Rosly @ Rahmat Ahmat Lana. – BERNAMA / pic TMR FILE