Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak congratulated Donald Trump following his victory in defeating Hillary Clinton in the race to become the 45th president of the United States.

The Prime Minister said Malaysia looks forward to continuing partnership between the two countries under Trump.

"I congratulate him on this extraordinary victory, and look forward to meeting him again soon," he said in a statement today.

Najib said, the world has watched this year’s presidential election with fascination.

"At almost every turn, media commentators have been proven wrong and the results anticipated by experts have been overturned.

"Donald Trump was considered a distant outsider when his candidacy was first announced.

"He beat the establishment consensus by winning the Republican nomination, and did so again with his remarkable victory today," he said.

Trump’s success shows that politicians should never take voters for granted, Najib added.

He said, opinion polls and established political figures, all underestimated the strength of his support.

"His appeal to Americans who have been left behind – those who want to see their government more focused on their interests and welfare, and less embroiled in foreign interventions that proved to be against US interests – have won Trump the White House," Najib said.

The Prime Minister said, in 2014 the US and Malaysia elevated their relationship to a comprehensive partnership.

"And we are firm allies in the worldwide fight against terrorism and extremism."