McAleese sets for home after Far East tour

President McAleese left for Dublin today after wrapping up visits to Malaysia and Thailand, the first to the Southeast Asian nations by an Irish head of state.

Mary McAleese spent her last day in Malaysia meeting government officials and the Irish community on the resort island of Penang, 155 miles northwest of Kuala Lumpur.

She arrived in the capital city on Sunday from Thailand, where she met King Bhumibol Adulyadej and held talks with Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on trade and diplomatic relations.

The president, accompanied by more than 50 government and business leaders, also met Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in Malaysia.

And she delivered speeches to diplomats, academics and business officials. The visit is expected to enhance ties, especially in trade, education and tourism.

Malaysia is one of Ireland’s biggest trading partners in Southeast Asia, with bilateral trade totalling nearly €1.6bn last year.