Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak has congratulated Donald Trump on his inauguration as the 45th president of the United States.

In a statement today, Najib noted that the relationship between the US and Malaysia had grown in recent years, culminating in its elevation to a comprehensive partnership in 2014.

In congratulating the newly-minted president, the Malaysian leader said: "I look forward to working with President Trump.

"I'm confident that under his and my leadership, the relationship between the US and Malaysia will strengthen and we will be steadfast partners for peace and prosperity in the region," he said.

Najib said Trump took office after an extraordinary journey which showed that politicians could never take voters for granted.

"He spoke for an America that felt it had been ignored for too long. Now is the time to govern for all Americans," the prime minister said.

Republican Trump, who beat Democrat Hillary Clinton in a bitterly fought US presidential election, was sworn in on Friday in Washington DC. -- BERNAMA