KUALA LUMPUR (June 24): Vicki Treadell, British High Commissioner to Malaysia, gave assurance today that the outcome of today's referendum does not change anything in the UK's and Malaysia’s relationship.

The UK voted in favour of leaving the European Union (EU) by 52% to 48%.

“We welcome Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's statement. The UK and Malaysia are important partners and this does not change,” she said in a statement today.

“This is a historic decision by the British people, they have made the choice to leave the EU. The UK government will now work towards delivering the will of the people and commence the formal and legal process of leaving the EU,” Treadell added.

Treadell also said her team will continue to focus on further strengthening the UK’s relationship with Malaysia for the mutual interests of both countries.

She also pointed out that the UK economy is fundamentally strong, as it remains the world's fifth largest economy, a permanent member of the United Nation Security Council and a member of the G7, G20 and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

“We continue to be the only member of those groups, which spends both 2% of GDP (gross domestic product) on defence and security, and 0.7% on helping others through our global development assistance programmes. This is the UK’s place in the world,” Treadell said.

Earlier today, Najib said the step that the UK voters took, was “historic and unprecedented”.