Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad plans to reignite the Look East policy that he introduced in the 1980s when he speaks at the 24th International Conference on the Future of Asia in Japan, to be held on June 11 and 12 this year.

Confirming to the media here that he would be going to Japan for the annual conference organised by Nikkei-Shimbun, he hoped his proposed trip would also strengthen relationship between Malaysia and Japan.

“I go to Japan every year to (attend the forum and) talk on the future of Asia. (This year) I want to speak a little bit more on the Look East policy,” he said after attending a closed-door meeting with Langkawi Pakatan Harapan members.

The proposed Japan trip next week would be the first official foreign engagement for Mahathir since being appointed the seventh Prime Minister of Malaysia.

Meanwhile, he said the government had yet to reach a stage to discuss any deal specifically with the International Petroleum Investment Company (Ipic) on the settlement of the 1MDB debts.

“We haven’t come to that stage yet. We are still studying the implications of the loan agreement and terms of the loan,” he added.

- Bernama