NAJIB CANCELS US TRIP

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak has cancelled his visit to the United States, scheduled from Thursday until Oct
1.

According to a statement issued by the deputy prime minister's office
Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had agreed to the
cancellation.

"This is due to the ongoing global economic situation which needs the
attention of the deputy prime minister to ensure the country's economy remains
on strong footing," the statement said.

Moreover, the statement said, Najib had just been appointed the finance
minister on Sept 17.

"He needs the time to get all the briefings on the country's current
economic situation from the various agencies under the Finance Ministry," it
said.

Following the cancellation, Foreign Minister Dr Rais Yatim would now lead
the Malaysian delegation to the 63rd session of the United Nations General
Assembly and deliver a keynote address on Sept 27.

Among others, the statement said, the speech would touch on Malaysia's
views
on issues such as the nation's sovereignty, food crisis and piracy.
-- BERNAMA