Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, Duterte meet on Thursday

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte will meet with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad at Malacañang on Thursday to discuss ways to further strengthen ties between their two countries. 

Mahathir will visit the Philippines from March 6 to 7 to reciprocate Duterte’s visit to Malaysia in July 2018. 

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the two leaders will talk about political, economic and people-to-people cooperation during their bilateral meeting. They are also expected to exchange views on common concerns. 

Panelo was not discounting the possibility that the Sabah dispute may be discussed during the meeting. 

“Everything is possible,” the spokesman said. 

Located south of Mindanao, Sabah is being administered by the Malaysian government but is still being claimed by the Philippines. 

Mahathir’s visit to the Philippines this week will be his first since he assumed office as the seventh prime minister of Malaysia last year. 

During his previous term, the Malaysian leader visited the Philippines in 1987 and 1994.

Mahathir is also scheduled to meet with Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.