Arnold Schwarzenegger is clearly bowled over by the warmth and hospitality shown by the people he encountered in Malaysia.

The former California governor and bodybuilder, who is in Kuala Lumpur for the Global Transformation Forum, was only here for 48 hours but is leaving with a positive impression of Malaysia.

“I have not seen much of the city and the country, but what I did see is that you have the warmest people here,” he said after his keynote address at the international forum on Thursday.

Schwarzenegger said that he was looking forward to coming back to Malaysia with his children in the future, and congratulated Malaysians for being “wonderful people”.

“From the hotel I stayed, to the restaurants I’ve been, the gym where I work out and to the organisers at the forum, everyone was so inclusive and so warm.

“Congratulations you wonderful people, and I will be back,” he said to loud cheers from the audience.