President Obama Turns On His Charm as He Speaks to the Young Leaders From ASEAN

Obama charms the crowd in Bahasa Malaysia

BY FLORENCE A. SAMY

Youth at the TSEALI townhall meething at Universiti Malaya try to shake US President Barack Obama's hand. - AFP

   

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KUALA LUMPUR: From "selamat petang (good evening)" to "apa khabar (how are you)" to "terima kasih banyak (thank you very much)", President Barack Obama dazzled the crowd with his words, charm and thoughts.

Obama, looked relaxed as he addressed the some 400 youths at the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) townhall meeting at Universiti Malaya Sunday.

The crowd cheered and clapped as he entered the hall, smiling and wishing everyone "selamat petang".

"Hello everyone. Selamat petang, it is wonderful to be here and to see all this outstanding young people here," he said.

Obama who spent almost 90 minutes with the 400 youths including the 103 YSEALI participants, said he was excited to hear what the youths had to say.

"These trips are usually all business. I try to hold events like this where I get to hear directly from young people like you," he told the cheering crowd.

The crowd cheered when he spoke in Bahasa Malaysia including "apa khabar", "Malaysia boleh (can do it)" and "spirit of kerjsama (co-operation)".

The relaxed Obama was at his best as he smiled and laughed with the crowd even when he told the "guys" to put down their hands as it was the "girls'" turn to ask questions.

This was contrary to the secret service personnel present who displayed a stern look with not even a smile as they closely watched all those present and made sure their President was safe at all times.

As he listened to the questions being posed from participants from Malaysia and neighbouring countries, Obama looked relaxed as he casually placed his hand in his pocket.

He walked the stage as he answered the questions, laughing at times and being serious when it was a heavy issue.

At the end of the question and answer session, Obama went down to the crowd and shook their hands with many rushing to try and touch the hand of the world leader and take a picture with him.