Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong recently returned from a successful visit to the US, which also caught the attention of our neighbours across the Causeway.

It gave an opening to the critics of Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Razak to compare the visits of the two PMs, and cast doubts on Najib's leadership.

PM Lee stayed at Blair House but Najib did not

One of the main points of comparison was PM Lee's stay at the historic Blair House, more commonly known as the US President’s Guest House.

PM Lee had also stayed at the Blair House last August, when he visited the US before President Obama stepped down.

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It was widely seen as a sign of high level hospitality accorded to foreign leaders, which Najib did not get from the US administration.

He had stayed at the Trump International Hotel during his visit to the US in September.

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Najib: But I played golf with Trump

Speaking in Parliament on Monday (Oct. 30) in response to questions from the opposition, Najib refuted criticisms that his trip was marred by the fact that he did not stay at the Blair House.

He pointed out that he played golf with the US president, who also walked him to his car as evidence of strong diplomatic ties between both countries.

"Even though I did not stay at the Blair House but I had an invite to play golf with Trump. Trump also walked me to my car. We still get the highest honour from the US administration."

Not to be outdone by critics, Najib countered by alluding to current opposition party leader Pakatan Harapan chairman and former Malaysia PM Mahathir Mohamad’s trip to the US in 2002 as an outcome of intense lobbying.

"My invitation to meet Trump was on official government business. I did not pay anything for the invite. My predecessor had to do several things to get an invite from (George) Bush, I do not practice that."

All these sniping back and forth may not have cleared the air about which PM got the better treatment from Trump, but one thing's for sure, it certainly proves that the looming election is set to take place sooner than later.

Top photo from Getty Images